Paperback: The $12 Million Stuffed Shark, by Don Thompson

Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

How did a Damien Hirst shark ever come to be "worth" $12m, or a Jackson Pollock drip painting $140m? This enthralling, revelation-rich trip through the "money game" of the art market brings an economist's eye and a dry, sceptical wit to its absurdities. The secret, for Thompson, lies in the alchemy of modern branding for artists like Hirst, collectors like Saatchi, auctioneers like Sotheby's, galleries like Gagosian. The jaw drops and the head spins as this figure-packed expos shows, from Bacon to Warhol and Koons, how celebrity and marketing mated to breed hyper-inflation of prices and names. And it proves (with statistics) why art is a lousy investment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Paperback: The $12 Million Stuffed Shark, by Don Thompson

Bookmark popover

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering