I see where you're going, vagabond, but there's a fatal flaw in your argument: budget and artistry are not mutually exclusive.
For example:
Scarface is lauded for being a highly artistic representation of gangster life for its' time. Same with the Godfather. If those movies can be considered art, why can't GTA? It's in the exact same genre, just a different medium.
On the other hand, I guess you're right. Low budget games are always artful. Excuse me while I go critique the most underappreciated gem of our time, Carnival Games