I was talking about something else, but I agree that the basic needs for food and safety have not been canceled. Money is also needed to purchase creative materials.

What remains then is: free art, simply because there is no longer any demand.

This is not clear. History knows many names of artists who "worked in the basket" during their lifetime. No one knew them and no one bought their works. But they were real freelance artists. Perhaps that's why they created what their muse gave them, inspiration. They didn't create for the sake of fashion or the audience. They were often misunderstood by their contemporaries.
But yes, there are few such creators.