Throughout the arts, the artist is the mastermind behind the work, no matter how much or how little they contributed to its actual execution

To think about this question, one may first ask why we create art. Evolutionary theory provides a compelling answer, saying that artmaking is the product of our evolution.5 According to this theory, art emerged as a way for our Pleistocene ancestors to strengthen their social ties and social status. For example, art can serve as gifts, as fitness signals for mating, and as displays of status and tribal affiliation. In each role, the fundamental purpose of art is to affect peoples' relationships with each other, where the relationships are themselves important. We have many behaviors for establishing and maintaining personal and group relationships, like gifts, competition, conversation, games, and romance, and making art is one of these behaviors.