What is an independent artist?

Creative freedom thrives with independence

An independent artist is someone who creates, promotes, and sells their work without relying exclusively on gallery representation. Rather than working through traditional intermediaries, they build direct relationships with collectors and maintain greater control over their artistic direction.

This independence often allows artists to pursue ideas that may not fit within commercial trends. Because they are not creating work primarily to satisfy gallery programmes or market expectations, they can develop a more personal and distinctive visual language over time, at their own pace.

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Independent doesn't mean antisocial

Being independent does not mean working in isolation or being against collaboration. Many independent artists exhibit, collaborate, and engage with wider art communities. The difference is that they retain ownership of how their work is presented, sold, and developed.

This freedom allows the creative process to evolve naturally and also allows for pivots to take place in order for artists to continue creating from an authentic place. When gallery artists start getting recognition, both of these essential parts of the creative process are often frowned upon. Galleries want artists to work at a pace that lets the institution meet their sales quota, and they need the predictability of contuining to sell what's proven successful.

In David Roman’s practice, independence creates space for a authentic self expression, and the freedom to experiment and pivot when needed. The early career was focused on the human form expressed by athletes, which then evolved into work that explores themes of human value in a contemporary world, using Byzantine-inspired gilding techniques, genuine gold leaf on engraved gesso surfaces. Being an independent artist allowed for this freedom to evolve and reinvent a creative practice.

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Independence as a creative choice

For many artists, independence is a philosophical decision that allows the work to evolve according to its own timing rather than external pressures.

Collectors often benefit from this freedom because they gain access to work that feels personal, authentic, and deeply connected to the artist’s authentic vision.