The first and foremost question we must ask ourselves is whether art is a sacred practice—a sādhanā—or merely a means to reach the marketplace. There was a time when art was considered a form of rigorous discipline and spiritual pursuit. In such a milieu, the emphasis lay on understanding the intrinsic elements of the art form and engaging in sustained, sincere practice. Naturally, most art mentors of that era not only adhered to this path themselves but also encouraged their disciples to do the same.
However, as the new century unfolded and consumerism pervaded nearly every aspect of life, art too began to be treated as just another product. Somewhere along the way, the artwork ceased to be an expression of inner vision and became instead a display of market value. The problem you are pointing to is deeply entangled with a larger concern: do art teachers, artists, and the art market even recognize this transformation as a problem?
From what I understand, most seem to be drifting along with the current—unquestioning, unreflective, and unaware of where this flow might eventually lead. And perhaps, now, it is left to destiny to decide whether they will find themselves at the shores of artistic devotion or submerged in the swamps of commercialism. Given the current drift in the art world—where commercial appeal often overshadows artistic depth—is it not the moral and professional duty of art critics, cultural writers, and senior artists to step forward and provide meaningful direction to the younger generation? Their experience, insight, and ethical compass are vital in helping emerging artists navigate the complex intersection of creativity and commerce.
-Suman Kumar Singh