Canadian Artist's TikTok Ban Sparks Platform Policy Debate and Leads to Nationwide Petition Campaign
The world of TikTok content creation can be unpredictable, but few creators have experienced the rollercoaster journey quite like the artist behind @wildandcreeartistry, also known as BigWickEnergy. This Canadian creator turned what started as a platform for sharing their artistic work into a legitimate business venture, only to find themselves at the center of a heated debate about content moderation and platform policies.
**Building a Business Through Art**
Since registering their business in December 2021, this creator has used TikTok as more than just a social media platform—it became their primary sales channel. With most of their revenue stemming directly from TikTok exposure, the platform represented what they called their "bread and butter." Their content focused heavily on original artwork, ranging from paintings to various creative pieces that resonated with their growing audience. The creator estimated they were potentially losing around $300 in daily sales when their account faced restrictions, highlighting just how integral the platform had become to their livelihood.
**The Controversial Ban**
The turning point came during a livestream when the creator was banned for what they described as simply feeding their infant son while on camera. This incident sparked a broader conversation about TikTok's content policies and their inconsistent application. What particularly frustrated the artist was the apparent double standard—while their artwork showing minimal nudity was flagged as inappropriate, other creators could post suggestive content in bikinis without consequence. The contrast between acceptable cleavage in clothing versus artistic representation became a central point of their criticism.
**From Frustration to Activism**
Rather than accepting the situation quietly, this creator channeled their frustration into action by starting a petition on Change.org calling for TikTok to be banned from Canada. Initially, the goal was simply to restore their live hosting privileges, but the scope expanded as they realized the problem was systemic rather than an isolated incident. The petition highlighted what they saw as fundamental flaws in TikTok's business model and content moderation approach, arguing that human bias within the algorithm created unfair treatment for certain types of creators.
**The Bigger Picture**
What makes this story particularly compelling is how it illustrates the precarious nature of creator economics on social media platforms. With earnings as modest as $34 from their account representing significant income for their family situation, the stakes of platform decisions become very real. The creator's journey from trying to restore their account to actively campaigning against the platform entirely shows how quickly creator relationships with these companies can deteriorate. Their experience serves as a cautionary tale about building a business entirely dependent on platforms with opaque and seemingly inconsistent policies.