This seems like one of those severts revealed to stories where it is only a "secret" to people who don't think about the topic, aren't paying attention, and for whom it doesn't matter...
I'm by no means an art expert, but I'm surprised that people would be surprised.
The local TV show that covers artists always shows their assistants and such working with them and outright producing the art.
When I've gone on visits to artists studios often the assistants are there, they are all upfront about what they do, and / or the artist talks about who else they work with (send the concept to others to produce) to make larger size and quantity pieces depending on the project.
I have never felt there was any attempt to hide any of it...
I'm by no means an art expert, but I'm surprised that people would be surprised.
The local TV show that covers artists always shows their assistants and such working with them and outright producing the art.
When I've gone on visits to artists studios often the assistants are there, they are all upfront about what they do, and / or the artist talks about who else they work with (send the concept to others to produce) to make larger size and quantity pieces depending on the project.
I have never felt there was any attempt to hide any of it...