Lena Marquise and the Body as Commodity installation.
Photo: Nate “Igor” Smith/drivenbyboredom.com
We know, we know. We write a lot of listicles. Joke if you must, but we see it as a public service. The art world can be a lot to navigate, but this way, you have information as essential as the best dealers and the most expensive female artists, and as frivolous as who to attempt to shmooze with at art fairs, available with the click of a mouse. Below, we present our 10 favorite lists from 2014 for your viewing pleasure. No need to thank us.
The Top 10:
1. Who Are the Most Expensive Women Artists at Auction?
When Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 sold at Sotheby’s in November for an unprecedented $44.4 million, tripling its high estimate of $15 million, we just had to ask: what other female artists are killing it in the auction game? Yes, there’s Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, and a few other usual suspects, but a lot of the names on this list might surprise even the most sagacious of art market followers.
2. The Most Admired Art Dealers of 2014
With the famed “How’s My Dealing” a thing of the past, how are you to know who’s actually well-respected in the field? Well, don’t worry, we’ll tell you. Check out this exhaustive list to learn why we like and admire art dealers ranging from from the very established (Larry Gagosian, Jeanne Greenberg-Rohatyn) to the new kids on the block (Rachel Uffner, James Fuentes) and everyone else in between.
3. We Asked 20 Women “Is the Art World Biased?” Here’s What They Said.
It might seem like a “duh” question, but in order to change it, we have to talk about it. And talk we did. See what luminaries like RoseLee Goldberg, Lisa Dennison, and Maria Baibakova have to say about sexism in the art world.
4. Meet 20 of the World’s Most Innovative Art Collectors
Innovation is a word that we like, especially when it’s in the context of spending money on art. Here are 20 collectors who are rewriting the rules on what collecting is all about. Read carefully—there may even be a couple super-famous names in there.
5. The 15 Wildest and Weirdest Art Stories of 2014
Remember when that student smashed an ancient Greek statue because he desperately needed a selfie with it? Remember when that other student got trapped inside a 32-pound marble vagina? We don’t mean to hate on students, but they did contribute to a fair amount of the absurd art news from the past year. Thanks, guys.
6. The 10 Biggest International Art Scandals of 2014
The art world, it must be said, tends to court a fair amount of scandal. From Nazi-looted art troves to butt plug–shaped sculptures to an Origin of the World reenactment that was just a little too real, why not take a trip down last year’s scandalicious memory lane?
7. The 50 Most Exciting Artists of 2014
Art critic Christian Viveros-Fauné shares with us the artists that have piqued his curiosity as of late, including Kara Walker, Tania Bruguera, and Chris Ofili.
8. 30 Art-Writing Clichés to Ditch in the New Year
Do you write about art? Do you talk about art? Do you read about art? (The correct answer to the last one is a resounding yes.) If so, you’d do well to take a look at Ben Davis’s list of words, phrases, and terms he would like to never, ever hear again. You’ll improve your own writing and be able to more easily call us out when we occasionally slip up.
9. The 100 Most Powerful Women in Art: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
These are the female artists, gallerists, executives, critics, collectors, and curators who are actively making lists like #3 obsolete.
10. The Art World Sexy, Powerful, and Intimidating List: People You Need to Network With in Miami
Sure, Basel is over, but a new art fair/benefit gala/Thursday night in Chelsea is always lurking around the corner, so why not stay abreast of who’s who and what they might be able to do for you? It’s not called sucking up, it’s called networking, we promise.
Jeff Koons picking out some essential reading at The Strand bookstore in New York.
Photo: © 2014 Patrick McMullan Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Top 10 Uber-Rich Art Collectors
2. The Top 12 Album Covers Designed by Famous Artists
3. World’s Top 20 Biennials, Triennials, and Miscellenials