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Poor Artists: A Quest Into the Art World Hardcover – November 12, 2024
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At a moment in which working as a professional artist is an increasingly unattainable luxury, art criticism duo The White Pube investigate why so many artists try anyway. Labeled “the Diet Prada of the art world” by British Vogue, in Poor Artists, writers Gabrielle de la Puente and Zarina Muhammad ridicule a contemporary art world that has turned art into artworks, art schools into art universities, and creative expression into cut-throat competition.
Poor Artists follows aspiring artist Quest Talukdar as she embarks on a surreal journey into the creative industry, where she must decide whether she cares more about success or staying true to herself. Featuring dialogue from anonymous interviews with real people who have all had to ask themselves the same question— including a Turner Prize winner or two, a recluse, a Venice Biennale fraudster, a communist messiah, a ghost, and a literal knight—The White Pube tell the story of art like never before.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPrestel
- Publication dateNovember 12, 2024
- Dimensions5.75 x 1.17 x 8.75 inches
- ISBN-103791380214
- ISBN-13978-3791380216
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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From the Publisher
The White Pube — heralded as one of the first truly new critical voices of the 21st century — the story of art like never before.
Labeled “the Diet Prada of the art world” by British Vogue, in Poor Artists, writers Gabrielle de la Puente and Zarina Muhammad ridicule a contemporary art world that has turned art into artworks, art schools into art universities, and creative expression into cut-throat competition.
“A refreshing, thoughtful and critical but fun voice to an often stale art world.”
— Travis Alabanza
“I love the energy, deep humour and alive thought in Poor Artists"
— Daisy Hildyard, author of Emergency
“An indispensable read, giving insights on an ‘art world’ at the edge of collapse. Living for it.”
— Legacy Russell, author of Glitch Feminism and Black Meme
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“An indispensable read, giving insights on an ‘art world’ at the edge of collapse. Living for it.” — Legacy Russell, author of Glitch Feminism and Black Meme
“I love the energy, deep humour and alive thought in Poor Artists, which zooms through galleries, universities, a hospital ward, and a spaceship, capturing what is tragic, and what’s glorious, about art and the world right now.” — Daisy Hildyard, author of Emergency
“A refreshing, thoughtful and critical but fun voice to an often stale art world. I was surprised, challenged and affirmed - everything I love in a book” — Travis Alabanza
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Prestel (November 12, 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 3791380214
- ISBN-13 : 978-3791380216
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 1.17 x 8.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #571,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #132 in Museum Studies & Museology (Books)
- #2,781 in Art History (Books)
- #6,723 in Short Stories Anthologies
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
Top reviews from other countries
- Lis IrelandReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Lot of fun
Magic. So much that is recognisable. I feel a lot better.
- Ashley HardmanReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A book I’ve mostly read in a gallery
Poor Artists is an essential read for any aspiring artist, especially those navigating the art world without the cushion of wealth or privilege.
Zarina Muhammad and Gabrielle de la Puente offer an honest and insightful look at the barriers artists face when they don’t come from wealthy backgrounds, tackling issues like financial insecurity, institutional gatekeeping, and the challenges of self-promotion in a competitive industry.
What truly sets this book apart is the way it blends humor with practical wisdom. The authors write with a sharp, witty voice that makes even the most serious topics engaging and relatable. Their candid observations about the realities of the art world feel refreshingly honest, providing both validation and encouragement to early-career artists struggling to make their mark.
This is more than just a guide; it’s a compassionate, humorous, and insightful companion for anyone who dreams of creating art without sacrificing their integrity—or their sanity. Highly recommended for anyone trying to carve out a space in an often exclusive and elitist industry.
Ashley HardmanA book I’ve mostly read in a gallery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2024
Zarina Muhammad and Gabrielle de la Puente offer an honest and insightful look at the barriers artists face when they don’t come from wealthy backgrounds, tackling issues like financial insecurity, institutional gatekeeping, and the challenges of self-promotion in a competitive industry.
What truly sets this book apart is the way it blends humor with practical wisdom. The authors write with a sharp, witty voice that makes even the most serious topics engaging and relatable. Their candid observations about the realities of the art world feel refreshingly honest, providing both validation and encouragement to early-career artists struggling to make their mark.
This is more than just a guide; it’s a compassionate, humorous, and insightful companion for anyone who dreams of creating art without sacrificing their integrity—or their sanity. Highly recommended for anyone trying to carve out a space in an often exclusive and elitist industry.
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