For the time being, people tried to preserve and multiply two things: status and money. This led to division of societies into castes like priests, warriors, etc., and each caste guarded their circle closely, keeping their secrets and preventing people from the outside to join their caste.
With rise of numerous crafts and arts in Medieval Europe various guilds were formed. Many of them kept monopoly on their techniques for decades. One of the famous examples was a guild of glassmakers on Murano island (modern Italy). The artisans even were forbidden to leave the island, to preserve the secrets further.
If you was born in a proper family, or chosen by a guild, you could become an apprentice. There was a strict hierarchy: you mopped the floor, pounded minerals in a mortar, did all the heavy and dirty jobs. After several years you were allowed to do something more complicate. After another couple of years you could do a simple items all by yourself. So you moved up step by step, mastering the craft.
It was also a well known practice when a skilled apprentices painted parts of a huge painting, and the famous artist painted the central figures, taking all the fame to himself (yeah, it was always a male). It was a common practice in other arts as well.
Do you remember my post about Eastern vs. Western mindset? Basically, you're nobody until an outside authority approves you, and you have to climb a ladder of your craft for years to be approved. That's an "Eastern" mindset.
A "Western" mindset is: you post your craft on social media - and voila, you're the artist!
What?! Those who climbed the ladder for years, immediately feel offended. Oopsie.
Have you seen this behavior within art people, especially painters? I suddenly discovered it's a thing while researching some stuff on modern art.
Well. The art is not a result. The art is an act. Your art can be absolutely hideous aesthetically wise, have weird stylization and be poorly made. It's still art. So go and do more of it, if you enjoy the process. You know, practice makes perfect. Post it online. We already have enough controversy with rising AI issue to care about some outdated practices.
If I cared that much about authorities validation, I wouldn't reach my current destination. What I wanted to make is a BJD doll that is aesthetically pleasing, brings a message and has a great usability. I did just that. So push your goals and don't listen to anyone.
