Artists are to be compensated if their work is resold in turmoil ofcopyright lawlaws that give collectors a share of the profits.
Painters, sculptors, and other visual artists stand to receive payment if their work is resold at auctions or galleries. This is a government move to keep thousands of artists alive today. I work below the poverty line.
Innovation Minister Under copyright law reforms drafted by Francois-Philippe Champagne and Legacy Minister Pablo Rodriguez, artists are entitled to "resale" granting royalties for the duration of the copyright. get the right. , according to the Champagne office.
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The dramatic increase in the value of paintings and sculptures now yields nothing.
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Montreal abstract artist Claude Toucignan's painting Accelerator Chromatique resold for $110,000 in 2012 Owns 90 and is one of his artists who supports legal reform. He would have received his $5,500 if copyright law changes had been prepared by his Cabinet and applied at the time of the resale.
The late Inuk artist, Kenoju Akushubak, sold his work Enchanted Owl in 1960 for $24, which he later resold for $158,500.
"Our government is currently working on possible amendments to copyright law to further protect artists, creators and copyright owners," said Champagne spokeswoman Laurie. Bouchard said. "Artist resale rights are an important step in improving the economic situation for Canadian artists." 5% and hopes the assets will receive funding according to copyright rules decades after their death.
At least 90 countries, including the UK and France, say they already have artist resale rights, but Canada lags behind, with many artists making a living from their craft.
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There are over 21,000 visual artists in Canada, and according to the 2016 Census, their median income was $20,000 annually from all sources. is.
"It's really important to acknowledge that half of our artists live in poverty," said CARFAC Executive Her Director April Britsky. "We all benefit from art and culture, and our creators should have better, more stable incomes." It follows years of campaigning by Senator Patricia Bovey.
His Bovey, former director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, said France has retained her resale rights for more than 100 years, and that Canada has been far behind in changing copyright laws. Told.
Early in her career, the senator said she knew many artists who sold their work for small sums and saw her worth "10 times more", she said. rice field.
An Inuit artist who often lives in remote areas and sells locally, he is one of those who would particularly benefit if he could capture a fraction of the resale value in galleries and auctions.
"Artists are the largest Canadian group of working poor below the poverty line," said Bobby. “It is the artists who tell us who we are, where we are and what society is facing.
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Edmonton-based artist Paddy Lamb is an established artist. However, he said it is very difficult to make a living from art.
He said he has seen the value of his work skyrocket when an artist gains a reputation and sells his work in major galleries and auction rooms.
"For Inuit artists, their work is highly valued as soon as they leave Nunavut. And [the artists] receive none of it," he said. "It's a tool that artists use to make a living."
He said that Canadian artists are getting paid to "help people" from artists in countries where resale rights already exist. Said to know what is important.
"Most payments in the UK go to artists who aren't A-list artists, little by little," said Lamb. What we want is a truly level playing field.”
Teresi Tungirik, vice president of CARFAC and an artist living in Rankin Inlet, said that when artists see their work resold, He said it was "unfair" that he didn't get a single penny.
"I've seen how the world treats artists," she said. “France did this over 100 years ago and it is important for all Canadian artists, including Inuit artists, to have the same rights.”
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