Hoe leef je een kunstrijk leven

by Katy Hessel, Janine van der Kooij (Translator)

Met dit boek in de hand moedigt Katy Hessel ons aan om meer aandacht te schenken aan de dingen om ons heen. In een wereld vol prestatiedruk en eenzaamheid wil ze dat we naar buiten kijken, reflecteren, verbinding zoeken en het buitengewone zien in het alledaagse. Dit is een oproep, een aansporing om te denken en vragen te stellen in een wereld die ons dat steeds meer probeert te beletten.

"Hoe leef je een kunstrijk leven" biedt gedachten en aanmoedigingen van kunstenaars en schrijvers zoals Marina Abramovic, Nan Goldin en Ali Smith voor elke dag van het jaar. Of je nu zoekt naar een nieuw begin in januari, vrijheid in de zomer of transformatie tijdens de donkere maanden: dit boek bevat woorden om te koesteren en te gebruiken.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Self Help, Creative, Writing, Art History, Philosophy

480 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2025

About the author

Katy Hessel is a British art historian, broadcaster, writer and curator, living in London, whose work is concerned with women artists.

Hessel was born and raised in London. She studied art history at University College London.

She writes on the subject of women artists for various publications. She has written and presented the BBC arts documentaries Artemisia Gentileschi (2020) and Art on the BBC: Monet (2022).

She runs the Great Women Artists Instagram account and in 2019 created a podcast by the same name in which she interviews art historians, art curators, writers, and art lovers about women artists and also talks to women artists about their work and career.

In September 2022, Hessel published the book The Story of Art without Men, a 500-year survey of art by women. It won the 2022 Waterstones Book of the Year. Also in 2022 she became a curatorial trustee of Charleston.

Reviews

[Anastasiia Mozghova · Rating 5 out of 5]

grateful to Hessel for such a sensible and wide-ranging selection of thought-provoking ideas to sit with and reflect on.

personally for me, quotes are a great way to remind yourself about something, or to get into a desirable state that might seem unattainable when we're left to our own devices. and i often feel like i do need those reminders to go on. so, this was a perfect book for me.

i plan to keep it on my bedside table!

[Aletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times a bit repetitive, but overall full of lovely advice, ideas, quotes and reflections ranging from George Eliot and Virginia Woolf to Ali Smith, Tracey Emin and Claudia Winkleman. I found it genuinely inspiring, and it also introduced me to many new artists and writers. A warm and encouraging read that invites you to slow down, notice more, and stay open to creativity.

[Mon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love, this book.

The intertextuality, the artists mentioned, the quotes, the questions that Hessel makes you ponder about. The appreciation of artists and their art and how transfixed as a society we are to art.

From some of my favourite artists to some great unknown artists. I absolutely loved this book.
5

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoe leef je een kunstrijk leven. Door: Kathy Hessel.

Voor mij is Hoe leef je een kunstrijk leven de eerste kennismaking met Kathy Hessel. Zegt meer over mijn dan over haar want ondertussen ontdekte ik dat zij een heus fenomeen is; een vrouw die al veel geweldige boeken heeft gemaakt. Boeken waar ik al over heb gehoord maar waarvan ik dus niet doorhad dat ze allemaal van haar zijn. Zoals bijvoorbeeld The Story about Art without Men.

Hoe leef je een kunstrijk leven kan je in één ruk uitlezen maar je kan het ook een jaar lang als een soort van kalender gebruiken. Een interactieve. Voor elke dag van het jaar vind je een idee, kunstwerk, quote, stukje essay, oproep, gedachte,…

366 keer een reminder om je blik te verruimen, even naar binnen te kijken, stil te staan, naar buiten te gaan, je handen iets te doen te geven. Geweldige, creatieve (voornamelijk) vrouwen, vormen de basis: Abramovic, Heti, Goldin, Lorde, Neel, Emin,… Allemaal favoriete vrouwen van mij.

Mijn plan is om dit boek op mijn nachtkastje te leggen en er elke dag met te beginnen, in plaats van met mijn smartphone,… Maar voorlopig blijf ik als een bezetene bladeren, lezen, genieten. Zo veel inspiratie! Fan!

[Liz H · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Live an Artful Life is an inspiring and beautifully curated collection of reflections that encourages readers to see the world through a more creative and attentive lens.

Katy Hessel brings together wisdom from a diverse range of artists, offering insights into creativity, resilience, curiosity, and personal transformation. Structured around the changing seasons and experiences of the year, the book serves as both a source of daily inspiration and a reminder that art can shape how we live, connect, and understand the world around us. Its thoughtful observations make it a rewarding companion for readers seeking creativity and meaning in everyday life.

Overall, it’s a valuable read for anyone interested in art, creativity, personal growth, mindfulness, inspirational nonfiction, art history, creative practice, philosophy, cultural studies, journaling, and living with greater imagination, curiosity, and purpose.

[Nicole Miles]

This is clearly a book that is meant to be read slowly—dipped into as needed—but, as I’m borrowing it from the library, I speed-ran it and I think my experience suffered slightly because of that. That said, this is one I’d consider getting a physical copy of to use as intended. There are a lot of passages that I have no strong feelings about of course, but the ones that resonated really hit and there were ideas worth exploring peppered throughout. I love how each day takes inspiration from a different artist who is both great and part of a marginalised group. It highlights, in practice, that there are many artists outside of the conventional canon from whom we can draw inspiration. A valuable addition to any artists’ shelves.

[Beki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed it from the library and had to return it before finishing as it was reserved. It's in my "to buy" list. Love the little snippets of quotes and where they are from, discovered. Some new artists

[IE]

DNF This book was just not what I expected. I thought it would be a self help type book, didn’t realize it had a daily calendar format which is not to my taste. It was too wordy for me and felt like research instead of play.

[marie 🏛️🕯️🐈‍⬛ · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

man was this long and repetitive and reads like self-help.

It was interesting as a physical record of the author’s chats and process with all of the artists - but that’s the only perspective that redeems it

[Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the pacing thoughtful. Each section felt like it had a purpose.

[Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

A piece of Feminist and Cultural Marxist propaganda, masquerading as a book on art and creativity.

Avoid.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bookmarked lots of things in this book and enjoyed it a lot! My only gripe is the lack of images but the ones included are very inspiring.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tad superficial with simplistic commentary
I would prefer more from the quoted artists and less from the manager

[Dominic Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts well, then the rollercoaster descends.

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

a decent set of creative quotes for inspiration (with most often unnecessary commentary)

[Grace McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super inspiring. Checked out an artist each day looking them up on my phone. Really uplifting and helpful.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Kathy Hessel interweaves little snippets of the artists lives with the daily tasks she recommends. Such a fun little year long project.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a library book, which was maybe a sub optimal way to obtain it. I had to read through a years worth of really lovely suggestions before the due date. I think I may have enjoyed it more if I could have made it a daily ritual. This may end up on my to buy shelf!

[Monika · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I wasn’t the right audience for this book, but it really only skims the surface and is packed with repetitions and clichés.

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

The precise dissection of modern systems in "How to Live an Artful Life" proves "Katy Hessel" has read the room correctly. A thoughtful read that completely shifts your perspective on power dynamics.