Canadian Artists in the World Market

I'm going to put a question out there for anyone to answer or comment on. I have an opinion on this question, but will ask the question first, to see if what everyone thinks.

Are Canadian artists getting the same recognition that other artists, say from the U.S. or Europe? I know there have been outstanding actors and musicians that have received great acceptance in the U.S. & worldwide, but what about painters?

I've also read about actors and sports players that don't want much attention and to avoid the paparattzi, by moving to Canada. A lot of these famous Canadian actors that continue to gain huge attention and success live in the U.S. but not in Canada. I wonder why that is?

Are there just bigger companies that are more willing to take a risks in the U.S. to take on and promote people?

Art Propaganda

I love graffiti and I think it's a phase in post modern art that has a hard time gaining general acceptance. I see a lot of beautiful graffiti get erased and some towns have anti-graffiti day or policies put in place to re-enforce the anti-graffiti idea. It's such a shame.

If they only know how many people in those towns actually love the graffiti artwork that's out there. I had a show last year in which I had some graffiti pieces and was pleasantly surprised at the reception by fellow artists and art lovers (young and old) who attended and commented positively at the show.

I once had a show at a small contemporary underground gallery anti-graffiti day in Nanaimo, BC. Because the building was to be repainted outside, the gallery owner gave all the art exhibit attendees a try at graffiti. The party for the opening spilled outside, it was very enjoyable. The bike cops came and tried to stop it but when invited to look at the artwork inside and the situation explained he enjoyed the show as well. Someone took a pic of the back of the public servant looking at artwork and it made quite a nice poster for the next event at the small gallery.

I know some places where graffiti is appreciated, like skate parks and it just adds to the skate park atmosphere. If there are more places that can be devoted to miscellaneous public art maybe graffiti can gain better acceptance.