A Beginner’s Guide to Contemporary Art Books

We know starting a collection of contemporary art books can feel overwhelming. The sheer volume of titles, the jargon, and the varying price tags can be a barrier. That’s why we’ve created this guide to cut through the noise and point you towards the truly essential, helping you build a personal library that inspires and informs.

What Are Contemporary Art Books?

In the simplest terms, contemporary art books are publications that focus on art created from roughly the 1960s to the present day. They cover living artists, recent movements, current exhibitions, and modern theory. Foundational publishers like Phaidon and Thames & Hudson have built their reputations on producing authoritative, beautifully crafted volumes in this field, making them a reliable starting point for any new collector.

More Than Just a Catalogue

While exhibition catalogues are a cornerstone, contemporary art books encompass much more. They can be dense theoretical texts, intimate artist diaries, collections of critical essays, or sprawling visual surveys. They are objects of art in their own right, where the design, paper stock, and printing quality are integral to the experience of the content.

From Monographs to Surveys

You’ll generally encounter two main types. Monographs delve deep into the work and life of a single artist—think a comprehensive volume on David Hockney or Cindy Sherman. Surveys, on the other hand, explore a theme, movement, or medium across many artists. A prime example is Phaidon’s ‘Vitamin’ series, a benchmark survey of contemporary drawing, painting, and photography, which offers a global snapshot of current practice.

How to Choose the Best Contemporary Art Books

With so many options, selecting a book can be paralyzing. Our best advice is to be led by your genuine interests, not by what you feel you ‘should’ own. Quality of reproduction is also non-negotiable; poor images do a disservice to the art.

Follow Your Curiosity

Start with what captivates you. Are you fascinated by the shock tactics of the 1990s? Seek out books on The Young British Artists (YBAs), including Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, who are heavily documented in books from that era. Drawn to immersive installations? Look for monographs on artists like Phyllida Barlow or Rachel Whiteread. Let your personal taste be the compass.

Judging a Book by Its Prints

A great contemporary art book lives and dies by its images. Before you buy, look for mentions of high-quality printing (often using specialist printers like Steidl), colour fidelity, and paper weight. Reputable publishers invest in this. A good test is to check a few sample pages—do the colours look vibrant and true? Is the detail crisp? This is especially crucial for photography books.

Navigating Contemporary Art Book Prices

The price range is vast. You can find an introductory paperback from Tate Publishing for under £20, while a limited edition, signed artist’s book from a publisher like SteidlDruck can run into hundreds or even thousands. Understanding what drives cost helps you spend wisely.

Where Your Money Goes

Several factors dictate price: the use of premium materials and printing techniques, the scale and exclusivity of the edition, licensing fees for image rights, and the depth of new scholarly content. A massive, cloth-bound monograph with hundreds of exclusive images simply costs more to produce than a slim exhibition guide.

Smart Buys for Beginners

Begin with accessible yet authoritative series. Tate Publishing produces accessible and authoritative books tied to their major exhibition programmes in London and Liverpool, offering fantastic value. Also, look for paperback editions of classic surveys; they are often more affordable and a perfect way to explore a topic before investing in a lavish hardback.

Finding Trustworthy Contemporary Art Book Reviews

While customer reviews on large retailers can be helpful, they rarely assess the critical merits of the book as an art object or scholarly resource. For informed opinions, seek out specialist sources.

• Apollo Magazine: Their regular book reviews are written by experts and focus on art publishing’s intellectual and material quality.
• The White Review: Excellent for reviews of more avant-garde, literary, and artist-focused publications.
• Specialist Blogs & Journals: Follow blogs like ‘5B4’ for photography books or ‘The Brooklyn Rail’ for wider contemporary art coverage. Always cross-reference a few sources to get a balanced view.

Where to Buy Contemporary Art Books in the UK

The UK, and London in particular, is a fantastic place to buy art books. We recommend a mix of browsing in person and the convenience of online specialists.

The Joy of the Art Bookshop

There’s no substitute for the tactile experience of a great bookshop. London’s Koenig Books, with branches at the Serpentine Galleries and elsewhere, is a world-renowned specialist art bookshop with an impeccably curated selection. The ICA Bookstore offers a sharp focus on the contemporary edge, while larger stores like Foyles have extensive art sections. Don’t miss the annual London Art Book Fair at the Whitechapel Gallery, a key event for discovering new publishers and rare titles.

Trusted Online Retailers

For online shopping, alongside our own curated selection at Romany WG, consider the dedicated art book sections of retailers like Blackwell’s, or specialist sites such as Artwords. Museum and gallery online shops, like those of the Tate or Victoria & Albert Museum, are also excellent for their specific publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best contemporary art book for a complete beginner?

We recommend starting with a broad survey from a trusted publisher. Phaidon’s ‘The Art Book’ or ‘The 21st Century Art Book’ are designed to be accessible entry points, offering short, informative profiles on hundreds of artists with high-quality images.

Are expensive art books worth the investment?

It depends on your goals. For study and casual interest, mid-range books from academic or museum publishers are perfect. High-end limited editions are often bought as collectible art objects or for their exceptional production values, making them worth it for serious collectors.

How can I tell if a book has good quality reproductions before buying online?

Look for detailed product descriptions mentioning specific printers (like Steidl), paper types (e.g., matte or coated art paper), and phrases like “colour-corrected” or “high-fidelity reproductions.” Always check if the retailer provides sample page spreads, not just the cover.

Where can I find books on emerging artists?

Smaller, independent presses are the best sources. Visit specialist bookshops like Koenig, attend fairs like the London Art Book Fair, and follow publishers like Afterall or Ridinghouse, who often focus on emerging and underrepresented practices.

Building a library of contemporary art books is a personal and rewarding journey. We encourage you to trust your own taste, start small with one truly captivating book, and let your collection grow organically from there. The most important collection is the one that speaks directly to you.