arts
March 24, 2026
Shoplifting, sex shows and sheepdog-breeding: great artists and the side-hustles they did to get by
John Cage appeared on an Italian quizshow. Jean Genet stole rare books. Emily Carr reared bobtails. And Kathy Acker did X-rated acts with her boyfriend … we explore the unlikely sidelines of struggling artists
TL;DR
- Many artists, like Jean Genet and Jean-Luc Godard, resorted to illegal activities such as stealing and reselling books to fund their early careers.
- Chantal Akerman and Kathy Acker worked in unconventional and transgressive jobs, like a pornographic movie theatre and live sex shows, to earn money while pursuing their art.
- John Cage successfully turned his hobby of mycology into a significant income by winning an Italian TV quiz show about mushrooms.
- Emily Carr faced financial hardship, leading her to breed Old English bobtail sheepdogs and sell pottery, which negatively impacted her painting career.
- The article highlights that supporting oneself while pursuing art often requires resourcefulness and may subtly influence the creative process.
- Ultimately, being an artist involves the practical challenge of securing the necessary time and resources to create work, regardless of the method.
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