What Do People Want? Lessons from Giving Away My Art in the Streets

These abstract studies found new homes quite quickly! Understandable...

As an artist, have you ever wondered what kind of art truly resonates with people? I did too, and it led me to leave my paintings out in the streets of Munich. Today, I’ll share how giving away 56 paintings taught me some surprising lessons about public taste and my own art journey.

Even my study sketchy pieces were gone;)

Recently, I’ve been preparing to move from Munich, Germany to Washington State. Part of this process meant decluttering my home and finding ways to clear out what I no longer needed. Living in a lively neighborhood in Schwabing, I noticed that whenever I left items outside for people to take, they disappeared pretty quickly. So, I thought, why not try this with my art? I gathered 65 paintings from 2020 to 2024 and put them out on the street with a “Gratis Kunst” (free art) sign.

Sakamoto Ryuichi Portrait

Pieces like these of famous artists were not so popular until I wrote their name on the left bottom.

The first day, I set out 44 paintings, unsure of what would happen. To my surprise, 20 were taken by the end of the day. It was such a motivational boost. These were paintings I had set aside, thinking they weren’t my best work, yet people seemed to want them. So, I scanned the remaining pieces, signed them, wrote my website domain in the back and adjusted a few before leaving them out again.

For paintings that were more like studies and nobody took for 2 days, I painted over them with left over gouache paint and created collage with gelli printed paper.

What surprised me most? The abstract, colorful pieces went fast, while the more personal portraits, like those of my son, were left behind. (Obviously lol) This experiment taught me a lot about what people might be drawn to and showed me that even art I wasn’t fully confident in could still connect with others.

It became a playful way to learn about public taste. I was having fun analyzing which pieces disappeared the quickest and why. It made me reflect on what people enjoy in art, while also giving me the validation that my older work still had value.

This one wasnt as popular because of its dark nature. Opium addicts. But I enjoyed painting this as a result of visiting a museum in Singapore at the time that explained about the opium addiction of Singaporeans in mid 19th century.

This whole experience was both motivating and freeing. I realized that even the pieces I wasn’t sure about could find a home. But perhaps the biggest lesson was this: I’m going to keep painting what brings me joy, no matter what others think. Yes, some works were taken quickly, while others—like the portraits of my son—were left behind, but that doesn’t change my love for creating them. It reminded me that art is deeply personal, and the connection I feel to a piece is just as valuable as the public’s response.

Portrait study back from 2022

At the end of the day, this experiment reaffirmed that I don’t need to fill the needs of public taste. I paint because it fulfills me, and that’s what truly matters. Whether my work flies off the sidewalk or stays for a while, I’m committed to following my creative instincts and enjoying the process. If it connects with others, that’s a beautiful bonus, but the joy of making art is enough.