Art is often framed as expression—paintings, murals, installations. But at scale, it operates as a layered system that connects wealth, identity, visibility, and power. It is not just about creating something meaningful; it is about where that creation sits, who sees it, and how it is valued. At the top of the system sits the global art market. Auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's regularly sell works for millions, turning art into an asset class. Paintings are not on