Work of Art

Alison Gerber worked as an artist before earning her Ph.D. at Yale University. Today she is a researcher in the Department of Sociology at Uppsala University in Sweden and writes about the intersection of culture and public life, from tax audits to noise music.

• 1. Art Work?2. The Work of Art3. Making Cents of Art4. Making Sense of Art5. This Way Be Monsters6. Doing Things with Words7. The Audit of VenusMethodological Appendix

"The Work of Art offers an intimate investigation of the economics of earning a living making art: where the money comes from and where it goes, and how artists justify, to themselves and others, their strategies for supporting their work. Alison Gerber makes a solid contribution to sociology, to economics, and to our understanding of the practicalities of an artistic career."—Howard S. Becker, author of Art Worlds "Alison Gerber's The Work of Art is a welcome treatment of how artists develop their self-conceptions and their production practices. This account expands our insight into a cutting edge area of economic and cultural sociology, examining the art world where questions of valuation and good work are highly salient, and provides an exciting approach to how material objects are given value. Personal and powerful, Gerber's work will alter how those who care about the lives of artists think about the role of money and identity in the creative process."—Gary Alan Fine, author of Everyday Genius "The Work of Art is an important and much-needed contribution to the neglected question of how artists value their work and time. It is a well-written account that paints a nuanced portrait of art as work and pushes forward sociological thinking about valuation, especially in nontraditional employment."—Elise Herrala, American Journal of Sociology "For those who are interested in the practice of art, the art world, and how artists see themselves,The Work of Artprovides a fascinating account with its innovative approach. Revealing that artists ultimately lead 'decommensurated lives,' where they coexist with different and competing values,The Work of Artilluminates how artists make sense of this in their careers and own lives. A wonderful and insightful read not only for artists but for all people who are trying to navigate the values of the market and what it means to be human."––Lee Trapanier, VoegelinView "The Work of Art is an important contribution to the sociology of art, and may also be of great use as a case study in economic sociology. It is a lively and accessible book, and a useful window into a topic that people rarely discuss with the candor elicited in Gerber's ethnographic interviews."—Nicholas P. Dempsey, Social Forces