Talk Art: Everything you wanted to know about contemporary art but were afraid to ask

by Russell Tovey, Robert Diament

"All we wanted to do was make art accessible, non-academic, non-elitist, gossipy and fun" - Russell Tovey, quoted in the New York Times

Engaging, informative and open to everyone, Talk Art established itself as the must-listen cultural podcast in both the UK and the US, and it has now garnered 1.5 million downloads. With infectious enthusiasm, Russell and Robert have opened the doors to the art world and have welcomed people of all ages and backgrounds into the conversation.

Talk Art, the book, is a beautiful and accessible celebration of contemporary art, and a guidebook to navigating and engaging with the art world. Informal and jargon-free, this book proves that art really is for everyone. With a wealth of imagery (some never-before-seen in print) and an informative and engaging narrative, Talk Art will become the must-have book that art lovers return to again and again.

The book features highlights from interviews with: Tracey Emin, Jordan Casteel, Jerry Saltz, Elton John, Grayson Perry, Ian McKellen, David Shrigley, Toyin Ojih Odutola and many more.

Chapters include:
- Performance Art
- Art & Political Change
- Art in the Margins
- Where and How to See Art
- How to Create Your Own Collection?

Praise for the podcast:
"lively, accessible and enthusiastic" - Financial Times
"as fast-paced and gossipy as it is genuinely interesting" - Dazed
"trendy, gossipy, fast-paced conversational fun" - New York Times
"It's an education, but not in an alienating highbrow way" - NME

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2021

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breezy survey of contemporary art and genres designed to make people feel comfortable with and interested in participating in and collecting contemporary art. The genre summaries were fine but I really enjoyed the spotlights on individual artists. The advice to explore, find what you like, and go deep on that was good too as was demystifying the mores and manners of art galleries.

**Thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere around 3 and 3.5 stars.
For someone who is only making themselves familiar with the world of contemporary art, this book would be rather alright. However, if you know a thing or two, you are most likely to find nothing new in this book.
I would also argue a choice of artists but then it is a personal perspective, so you kind of can't really argue personal preferences.
For me it was a quick read for a day, nothing that would have got me excited.

[Katie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this introduction to the different types of contemporary art. As someone who dabbles in mixed media, I found the authors advice to artists very helpful. I also really enjoyed reading more about how to collect art and build your own collection. Probably the most interesting chapter was that on Public Art with various artworks in London that I had never noticed being highlighted and discussed. I found the chapter on Photography fascinating but a bit too brief. I would have loved to have seen this fleshed out a bit more. Overall a good introduction and I look forward to exploring their podcast to hear more.

[zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given, i love the Talk Art podcast to start with so i knew I’d love it in book form! I want to be besties with Russell and Robert (and i want to steal their art collection too). Delicious read, I will definitely read again. Recommend to my non art lover friendies so we can finally TALK ART?!?? (hahaha funny zoe)

[Rose Camara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introduction to contemporary art I found this extremely useful! However, while the authors to talk about contemporary art and artists globally, majority of the references and recommendations for artists to look at, galleries to visit, etc are in the British context. I do think this book is for everyone and anyone interested in contemporary art. Great and inspiring resource!

[Glen Helfand · Rating 2 out of 5]

The goal of demystifying contemporary art is something I'm all for. But how to do it? Russell Tovey and Robert Diament, two gay art bros, started a podcast, a format that really does humanize the act of making and viewing. If art is a conversation, well, literal dialogue is a fantastic venue. This book, however, is less a dialog than an augmented Pintrest board, something driven by random inspirations. The co-written, haphazardly edited volume starts with the two authors' relaying their shared and individual connection to art, and then launching into a cursory overview of the contemporary art scene. The intro suggests this might be a book about how to collect artwork, yet the first chapters focus on Performance and Public art, two arenas that couldn't be further from entry level collector zones. Each genre-specific chapter drops a wide variety of names, though not a lot of context for them other than press release interpretation. Clearly these are artists that Tovey and Diament adore and collect themselves (Tracey Emin prints being their gateway drug). Why this book didn't rely more on the conversations on the podcast for content (or acknowledge the quotes come from there) is anyone's guess--it's these guys' strength and admirable contribution to their crusade in making art more accessible. Save your money and listen instead!

[Marnie]

weird of me to consume a book about visual arts in audio format but you have to pass the time at work somehow. skipped the last chapter because it was an interview with J*mes C*rden lol.

[Izzy Vogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific book for anyone trying to build up a base of knowledge about contemporary artists. It is so difficult to find interesting artists independently, it is hard to look up specific types of artists. This book provides a catalog of artists and their works, with quick texts about them! Fantastic!
I loved the inclusion of ceramics, pottery and textiles as well.

[Emma M Broom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never had any art education, nor did my family ever talk about art when I was growing up. Reading this book has introduced me to contemporary art.

So I have more confidence to support and discuss art with my daughter, who is obsessed.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Robert Diament and Russell Tovey have a goal: to make art and collection art attainable and accessible while fun while teaching the novice that appreciating and collecting art does not have to be intimidating.

Full disclosure: I’m an artist and a budding art collector myself so I was excited to read this….and hate to say that I have mixed thoughts about it after I did. Here’s the good and the not so good.

What I like about this book is that it consolidates, in one place, the what and why of the current art world and it’s place in our world. Magazines will showcase an artist but they concentrate on the artist themselves, and if they discuss art as a movement or current styles, it’s from a place of showcasing to promote and sell. But this book talks about the why, and helps the novice understand movements for a budding collector. The pretentiousness of this world can shut a novice collector down. These authors attempt to open up this art world in a way that budding collectors can understand. Because of this book, I will be spending time trying to understand and dig deeper into the motivation behind genres of art that I usually pass over as I walk the museum and galley halls.

This book educated me on styles and trends that I wasn’t aware of, but it seems to be more of an art comprehension review than a guide on how budding collectors can navigate the art gallery and museum world. That part was a small chapter at the end.

Towards the end of the book the authors give the newbie’s tools to get started on their own art journey: finding a community and discovering your own perspective. They touch upon the intimidation they felt upon embarking on their art journey when confronted with buzzing into a private upscale gallery. I can relate and still get intimidated by that, with thoughts of “I’m here to learn and can’t afford what’s on the walls, so I’m a waste of their time.” However, they make great points about the purpose of galleries which is to teach and inform and hopefully you will go out and share that through word of mouth.

They go into detail about gallery/museum structure and what to expect. I’m not sure that’s ever been explained before. This is invaluable to the newbie who has never stepped foot into an art space.

However, this book in some way tackles the very thing that irks me about the art world: Showcasing those artists and works that make a grand statement. There’s many artists out there, the majority actually, who don’t need to go to extremes to make a point, political or social statement, who just create because they need to. That art is just as important but it doesn’t get written up as often in books or art review magazines. A still life of a bowl of fruit, the light on a tin roof of a barn or the grace of the human figure can be just as exquisite and moving to the viewer as artwork that screams in your face about social injustices.

But maybe because we have seen landscapes, still life’s and figures for centuries that talking about them isn’t exciting. Maybe that type of art is approachable to the novice and easier to relate to….It doesn’t mean that art isn’t any less important. The galleries showing these more traditional forms of art can be even more intimidating than those displaying contemporary art.

In the end, this book does serve its purpose. It makes contemporary art understandable and attainable to the masses. For any budding art collector, admirers who just want to visit museums and galleries and those who buy a few select pieces for their own pleasure, this book offers up a quick review of the current art world.

[Sharon Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up with excitement because (a) I had a Barnes & Noble gift certificate so I could justify spending the money on a new book, and (b) I am on a quest to try to understand contemporary art and most books that I find on the subject seem to want to cut things off at about 1980.

Apparently the authors are quite popular from their Talk Art podcast. (I tried to listen to a couple, but I have to confess I hate hate hate podcasts. There's just so much chit-chatting around about nothing. I want to consume information at my own rate, and when all that blabber is mixed in, I cannot do this).

This book takes us right up to 2020 and the start of the pandemic so A+ for the time frame.

I didn't know before I chose to purchase it that the authors are British. I'm no Anglophobe, and they include many American artists as well as those from around the globe, but I felt like the slant towards UK artists made for more people I wouldn't have much exposure to here. Maybe for the best, more new artists for me to learn about. Can't give a bad grade based on my own misconceptions.

There are not enough pictures. B-. But this is my complaint about every art book I ever read, so again "It's not you it's me." There were more and better pictures than most art books. And there's this thing called the internet where you can usually find every photograph that's ever been taken of any particular artist's work. So. There. I just don't like juggling my phone with a paper book while I'm reading in bed.

The book is divided into ten chapters each addressing a type of art, or type of artist. I.e. Photography, Women, etc. etc. This results in a wide range of new artists to learn about. At the end of each chapter, there is also a simple list of "More artists to look at" which could keep you googling for months. There are also some sections in the end about how to look at art, how to collect art, how galleries are run, etc. I found these very interesting.

The best book I've found so far on contemporary art.

[Chesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for artists, art historians, art collectors, and anyone who just wants to dip their toes into the art world. The writers do a great job of not talking down to their audience while making something like contemporary art, which can often seem overwhelming to people not versed in any aspect of the art market, accessible to everyone regardless of their respective experience. The book is divided into two main sections. The first broadly covers different types of art such as performance art, photograph, sound art, etc. The second discusses how to get involved in the contemporary art world including buying, collecting, and creating art. As opposed to textbooks which often read as a lecture, this book felt very personable as the writers discussed their personal experiences and highlighted key artists whose works they've seen and collected over the years. It helped break down the often rigid air art-based institutions have. I also loved how they highlighted different artists throughout the book to help demonstrate each style of art and show how an individual could connect with an artist's oeuvre. If I were to add anything at all, I would have liked to see a similar artist's spotlight but with other museum professionals/art professionals (e.g., collectors, archivists, curators, art historians) maybe in a quick interview format just to add an extra layer; however, I do understand that might be a bit much for the book writing process. Overall, definitely recommend this book if you want to dip your toes into the art world.

(Did not mean to take this long to finish this book. I had a couple of hectic months which slowed me down, but I was able to crunch it out in the new year.)

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you wanted to know about getting into art.. I loved it!

Russell Tovey and Robert Diament have a podcast called 'Talk Art' and this book is the amalgamation of the podcast and all there art knowledge in a handy book

I am not an art collector or even that knowledgeable about art, but its always nice to learn about something new.. and this book gave me a deeper understanding of art.

The book has detailed profiles on unknown (to me) artists to broaden my appreciation and knowledge of the art word and all the different categories of art (who knew that there was something called noise art??? - I didn't and it was lovely to read all about it and something I will be looking out for in future)

The book also gives a step by step guide to visiting any gallery or art museum - of what to expect and what do do and who are all the people that work there, this makes the thought of visiting such places much easier if we know what to expect.

I really enjoyed this book (so much I bought the next one!) and recommend it to anyone who is either an art lover or someone on the cusp of art world wanting to get in deeper or even someone who just likes to know things!

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk Art offers readers a wide ranging look at art. While the authors come from the arts,t their fields were acting and music. Together, the two have engaged in learning more about contemporary art. They eventually began a pod cast called Talk Art and then came this title. Tovey and Diamant begin by sharing some of their own history with the readers; this helps those picking up this book to know something of the authors’ evolution.

What follows are chapters on many topics. To name a few, there are Performance Art, Public Art, Photography, Sound Art, Ceramics and more. Further, they do not shy away from the political.

This title also includes a helpful section on ways to become involved with contemporary art whether it is seeing art, creating a collection, being an artist or reading more.

This book is lavishly illustrated. Dip in anywhere or go through this title in order. A reader will walk away with something each time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Tabish Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to access and enjoyable look at the art world through the two authors who are both hugely enthusiastic about art. It's a mish-mash of both their journeys and the artists they like, but also how to access art for the novice. For that reason I think it will resonate best with those who are regular listeners to their podcast as there is a lot of their personalities in here.

They do touch on how art can seem inaccessible but that's largely brushed over, but there is a privilege here in them both being insiders to that world, while if they hadn't been then the barriers would have likely been higher.

Overall a breezy accessible read.

[Dilek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like an extension to the podcast with the same name: Talk Art. That means it is a bit on the chatty side for me. Having said that, it explains many forms of contemporary art with some examples from the artists and their works. The authors start with some personal notes, and following sections dedicated to different forms are informative and engaging. It might help if you need an approachable guide to start collecting contemporary art or simply a push to delve into the contemporary art world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc copy.

[Elspeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remain a total novice in terms of the art scene but i'm really enjoying Talk Art as an encouraging intro. Initially on flicking through this book I wasnt keen on many of the images but as I read on and re-looked i was intrigued and almost fascinated. Partiucularly taken with Lenz Geerk. Have enjoyed some of the podcasts too eg Ellie Tate and Piers Brosnan. I also went to Royal Acadamy of Art to see Tracey Emin x Munch exhibit and to Hauser & Wirth Somerset to see Henry Taylor exhibition whilst listening to Rob & Russell's walk throughs there - hoping start of much more modern art.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who discovered the Talk Art podcast and feel head over heals into contemporary/modern art this was a fun and approachable book. I kept running into bits from the podcast and as I listen to more of the podcast I ran into more bits of the book. I am very grateful that Talk Art has made some contemporary art make more sense and be more enjoyable. If you have any interest in art I would recommend this book.

[AcademicEditor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice overview, especially for those who might be visiting a contemporary art gallery for the first time. It does tend to focus on the big statement-making artists and conceptual theories, and there are other artists out there who might not fit that mold, but it is helpful to understand the context.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer the podcast, but this does give a nice overview of several art topics, including ceramics, political art, sound art, performance art, collecting art, etc. I loved the included artworks, and I found their words on galleries encouraging, as I do find those intimidating. It's a highly-accessible art book that's particularly great for those just starting to develop an interest in that world.

[Gemma Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn't want to read this in order to get a systematic or detailed overview of the contemporary arts scene, but if you like the podcast you'll enjoy Russell and Robert's infectious enthusiasm and excitement about art and their passion to share that. The book looks beautiful and has lots of good quality colour pictures.

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay guide to contemporary art I don't think it necessarily meets its premise of making it easier to talk to about contemporary art but there are some nice introductions to some artists.

I received a copy from Netgalley, all opinions are my own

[Anna McGary · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy and breezy. im all pumped up about art! hell yeah!

[Kosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring read and I loved the section addressing artists and how to get started! You can feel their enthusiasm through the pages.

[Suejin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I found informative and instructional for whom learning about contemporary art but dry.

[Adam Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They don't know what you're doing
Babe, it must be art!" - U2, 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me'.

Talk Art by Russell Tovey & Robert Diament is a must-read for art lovers everywhere. From contemporary art to performance art, public art, sound art, photography & ceramics, to name a few, it's written in a passionate & inclusive style. There is an attitude shown in some works that some art doesn't make a lot of sense & should be mocked as pretentious & elitist. It is spoken of ironically as “True Art,” implying that it is neither genuine nor art.

Only the grimmest of tragedies can effectively explore the fragility of human existence, the crushing agony of love & regret, & other life-defining themes, such as why your mom never really loved you &/or the ultimate futility of happiness. Anything with an unambiguously "happy ending" is a piece of cheap, tedious commercial tripe or even propaganda. Most creators work incredibly hard to make their works accessible to their target audience. They try to make their works as enjoyable as possible to ensure that their audience remains engaged throughout their experience. But it's also about wanting to make your audience happy & about being able to share one's work with others...which is difficult when people don't want to read/listen/watch/play your work.

True art, after all, should be respected in its own right & on its own merits, not because people enjoy it. Others will argue that art with no audience, or even a very narrow, limited audience, serves no useful social purpose whatsoever. Apart from sales & contemporary reviews, some people hold that the actual test & highest honour of any work is "the test of time". Over generations, time filters art & leaves only works that are worth caring about. The older artwork is, the better it is. The ability of a work of art to endure after the death of an artist across languages & cultures still have meaning over the years & centuries is its true merit. The fact that Greek Tragedy & Homeric epics still have resonance & value two thousand years after they were written testifies to their greatness. Indeed to the more romantically inclined, art offers the only natural immortality human beings can aspire to.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not aware of their podcast, and wanted to read this book because it promised me to dive deeper into contemporary art.
I think this book is well suited for people, who have little to no knowledge about contemporary art.
While some of it was new, and gave me more context or an artist, it just didn't grip me. I love art, different kinds of art. Have been lucky to see contemporary art in a lot of different countries and different museums. I have followed art courses, so the level was a bit too low for me personally.
Both gentleman obviously have great passion and enthusiasm for art. If you are not very into the scene you will enjoy this book. I was personally looking for more depth.

this book was provided as an ARC

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the Talk Art podcast which I discovered recently and am steadily working my way through. This is a companion book, although it is broken up into thematic chapters rather than conversations with individual artists, although these are featured in each chapter too. It's got an excellent section at the back about how to get into art appreciation and/or collecting and how to manage if you feel intimidated by art but want to explore it. It features lots of artists I hadn't come across and enjoyed finding out about. It's got great reproductions of artworks including original works made specifically for the book. It's eminently readable and you don't need to know a lot about art to enjoy it.

[Kristina W · Rating 5 out of 5]

My whole knowledge of art is based on what I like in museums (all mediums), a high school introduction to French Impressionism, and one semester of college Art History. This was an amazing introduction to the world of contemporary art and the authors' love of the subject echoes throughout. The concluding chapters about galleries and advice for artists were fascinating, to tell the truth. At least as informative as the art sections!

[Jade Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a newbie to the art world I found this a helpful and engaging introduction to contemporary art. Different types of art forms were discussed (e.g. performance, public, sound art, ceramics etc) and there were interesting chapters on art and political change and art and feminism. I’ll be checking out their podcast