TikTok Shop launches fine art category with Sophie Tea live sale

TikTok Shop has introduced a fine art category within its collectibles section, allowing artists to sell works via shoppable videos, photographs, and livestreams. The category launched on March 11 with a three-hour live sale by artist Sophie Tea, who has 1.3 million TikTok followers and 1 million on Instagram. Tea sold 20 original oil paintings titled 'Bric-a-Brac' for £2,800 each, depicting objects like a teapot, spoon, and wine glass inspired by her viral 'Charity Shop Friday' videos. The sale faced technical glitches: items added to baskets were prematurely marked as sold, and baskets took over an hour to update. Only about six works sold directly through TikTok Shop, with the rest via Instagram DMs. TikTok took a 9% commission. All buyers were UK-based, and roughly half were existing clients. Tea initiated discussions with TikTok after noticing the category was missing, aiming to bypass galleries and intermediaries. Marco Spaducci, head of home and living at TikTok Shop UK, said the category expands the platform into high-value collectibles. Tea described the sale as 'an absolute shit show' but noted it revealed issues to fix. She argues social media gives artists power over presentation, profits, and audience contact. TikTok plans to open the category to more artists.