The image of a struggling, bohemian artist dedicated solely to their craft is a romantic notion, especially when met with the harsh reality that many artists rely on day jobs to make ends meet. Though social class, sex, and race have often restricted who could be an artist throughout history, beginning in the nineteenth century (if not earlier), artists began to take on alternative careers to enable them to pursue their artistic passions: Frida Kahlo was trained as a medical illustrator before gaining recognition as an artist, Henri Rousseau worked much of his life as a toll collector in Paris, and Jackson Pollock was a custodian at the Guggenheim. This tradition of doing whatever it takes to be able to create is often glorified, but it stems from the less-glamorous impact of the high cost of living and modest government support for artists. Day Jobs at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University focuses on this aspect of artists’ lives, exploring how their day jobs can influence the visual art they create.
With over ninety works by thirty-six established and emerging American artists, the exhibition is set across two floors and divided into categories depending on the artist’s day job. These include artists who have worked in the art world, service industries, finance, and caregivers, among other professions.
