From Studio to Feed ///// Rethinking Visibility in the Digital Age

picture from Anastasia Samoylova

Where artists show their work has radically shifted. The studio and gallery once ruled; now, Instagram and TikTok feeds are global stages. But what does it mean for artists to exist between these two realities?

Digital visibility comes with clear perks: instant access to global audiences, the chance to build community without gatekeepers, and the freedom to show process as well as product. But it also comes with friction. Algorithms reward speed, consistency, and “shareability,” while artistic creation is often slow, messy, and not exactly viral-friendly.

Young artists face the dilemma: create for the algorithm or create for themselves? Post quickly to stay relevant, or honor internal rhythms even if it means less reach? This tension defines much of the creative experience today.

But new ways of using feeds are emerging. Some artists treat their accounts like visual journals, showing honest behind-the-scenes moments, even blocks and burnout. Others use social media as a meeting point instead of a storefront, prioritizing authentic exchange over mass exposure.

Rethinking visibility means realizing there’s no single path. The feed is a tool, not the goal. Art isn’t measured in likes, but in resonance. And in the end, the mission isn’t to feed the algorithm, it’s to protect the authenticity of your own artistic voice.