What is art for?
Contemporary artists on their influences, inspirations and disciplines
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Heni Publishing
Published:4th Sep '25
Should be back in stock very soon
Drawing on over 25 years’ experience talking to artists, Ben Luke conceived and launched the A brush with… podcast in 2020 to explore the influences, rituals and disciplines of artists working today through in-depth audio interviews. Titled after the final question he asks every guest, What is art for? comprises 25 of these conversations, edited and illustrated to offer a tangible and visually rich version.
The selected artists span 12 cities across 4 continents: Michael Armitage, Phyllida Barlow, Alvaro Barrington, Michael Craig-Martin, Tacita Dean, Jeremy Deller, Ellen Gallagher, Theaster Gates, Roni Horn, Pierre Huyghe, Arthur Jafa, Claudette Johnson, William Kentridge, Ragnar Kjartansson, Mark Leckey, Julie Mehretu, Cornelia Parker, Doris Salcedo, Dayanita Singh, Do Ho Suh, Sarah Sze, Charline von Heyl, Stanley Whitney, Alberta Whittle and Zadie Xa.
The book also features newly written texts by Luke that reveal what the series has taught him, drawing out the overlaps and parallels between interviews, and the shared passions and fascinations of different artists. Taken together, the volume – which is presented in an affordable reading book format – paints a compelling and, at times, unexpected story of artists’ inspirations and motivations.
‘The book is an excellent means by which interested parties can get turned on to the creative output of a group of contemporary artists’ -- Brian Greene * Loophole *
'Luke is an exceptionally informed and attentive interviewer' -- Paul Carey-Kent * FAD Magazine *
‘On a podcast, you can’t show the artworks under discussion – so enter the book, which is generously illustrated with works by the interviewees and their diverse points of reference’ -- Hettie Judah, art critic
‘The best nuggets from the podcast that even the most reclusive artists clamour to be on. This book by brilliant and beloved Ben Luke is an instant classic’ -- Louisa Buck, art critic
‘Luke’s lines of questioning go far deeper than normal interviews to touch not only on the artist’s work, but the broad range of influences and connections that feed into their practice’ -- Will Jennings * Recessed Space *
‘There’s a rhythm and flow through the publication where everything relates to everything else, and yet also stands alone as its own chapter… this is a really great thing’ -- Ceri Hand * Extraordinary Creatives Podcast *
‘One of the most insightful and dedicated arts critics around… If you’re in the art world orbit, you will have heard his voice, you’ve maybe even preordered his new book, possibly begged to go on his podcast’ -- Harriet Lloyd-Smith * Give me a break podcast for Plaster magazine *
‘Ben Luke’s new book “What is art for?” redefines the dynamics between print and digital projects’ -- Joana P. R. Neves * Exhibitionista *
ISBN: 9781911736172
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
400 pages