
Fine Art is a term which encompasses those areas of the creative arts
which are more concerned with expression than with any particular practical
application, such as drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking.
However, it is a fairly loose term and there is no absolute fixed boundary between work produced purely for its expressive or decorative value and work produced for use in a more practical context. However, it is generally accepted that there is a separation between the fine arts and design, with design invariably having a practical application.
Fine artists work both in traditional media and also utilise new media such as video and multimedia. They may produce work for a wide variety of contexts – for exhibition in galleries and in open spaces, for private commission and for publication.
There are few fixed career paths for fine artists. They may produce work for sale in commercial galleries and for private clients. They may also be commissioned by public and private organisations to produce work for specific environments, such as parks and gardens, public buildings and commercial interiors. Fine Artists can also move into other areas such as teaching in schools, colleges and Universities or they could move into Museum Curator roles as well as community arts positions.
Sustaining a career as a fine artist requires not only talent, but stamina and commitment. Fine artists must be prepared to promote their work to galleries and agents and also to private and public organisations. For those who are able to succeed, however, the personal rewards can be substantial.