Social Media Success Stories: How These Major Artists Blew Up Online
Social media has become a game-changer for the art world, allowing artists to showcase their work and build their brand to a worldwide audience. In recent years, several artists have achieved massive success by leveraging social media to their advantage. In this article, we'll take a look at some major artists who blew up using social media and explore how they did it.
KAWS: Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, is a New York-based artist who gained international recognition thanks to social media. KAWS began sharing his work on Instagram in 2012, and his playful, pop-culture-inspired pieces quickly gained a following. He now has over 3.4 million followers on Instagram, and his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
Yayoi Kusama: Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has been making art for over 60 years, but it wasn't until she began using social media that she achieved true global recognition. Kusama's vibrant, immersive installations have become hugely popular on Instagram, with visitors lining up for hours to take selfies in her colorful rooms. Kusama now has over 2 million followers on Instagram and is one of the most famous contemporary artists in the world.
Shepard Fairey: Shepard Fairey is a street artist and graphic designer known for his iconic "Hope" poster featuring Barack Obama. Fairey gained a following in the early 2000s by sharing his work on websites and message boards, and he was an early adopter of social media when it emerged. Fairey has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and has used his platform to raise awareness about social justice issues and environmental causes.
Ai Weiwei: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has used social media to amplify his message and share his work with a global audience. Ai has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and has used social media to document his activism and raise awareness about human rights abuses. Ai has over 900,000 followers on Instagram, and his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
Takashi Murakami: Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has built an empire around his brightly colored, anime-inspired art. Murakami began using social media in the early 2000s to promote his work and connect with his fans, and he now has over 1.3 million followers on Instagram. Murakami has collaborated with major brands like Louis Vuitton and has exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the world.
So how did these artists achieve such massive success on social media? The answer is simple: they consistently shared high-quality, engaging content that resonated with their audience. They used social media to build their brand and connect with their fans, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their creative process, promoting upcoming exhibitions, and using their platform to raise awareness about important issues.
In conclusion, social media has become an essential tool for artists looking to build their brand and connect with their audience. By consistently sharing high-quality, engaging content, artists can gain a following and achieve success on a global scale.
Sources:
"The Art World Has Changed: How Social Media Is Levelling the Playing Field," Harper's Bazaar, accessed February 18, 2023, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a30706071/how-social-media-is-changing-the-art-world/.
"How Takashi Murakami Became the Most Successful Contemporary Artist on Social Media," Artsy, accessed February 18, 2023, https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-takashi-murakami-...
"Social Media and the Art World: An Interview with Shepard Fairey," Artnet News, accessed February 18, 2023, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/social-media-art-world-shepard-fairey-1207273.
"Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms," The Broad, accessed February 18, 2023,https://www.thebroad.org/art/yayoi-kusama/infinity-mirror-rooms.