A new book titled "How to Art" brings together acclaimed British artist David Shrigley's signature satirical illustrations with arts broadcaster Kate Bryan's accessible writing style. The collaboration aims to demystify the art world and make it more approachable for everyday audiences, moving away from academic jargon and pretentious attitudes that often intimidate newcomers.
Kate Bryan, who currently serves as chief art director for Soho House since 2016, brings a refreshingly honest perspective to art education. Her journey began far from the refined galleries she now inhabits – she spent her teenage years flipping burgers at Burger King and calling out numbers at Gala Bingo. This working-class background deeply influences her approach to art appreciation and education. "I wanted to remind us all that art's supposed to be joyful, we shouldn't have to get bogged down in academicism," Bryan explains about her motivation for creating the book.
The partnership with David Shrigley proves to be a perfect match for Bryan's vision. Shrigley, a Turner Prize nominee whose work appears in prestigious collections at Tate and MoMA, is known for his simple yet powerful satirical drawings. His accessible approach to art-making aligns perfectly with the book's mission. "The book must reference over a hundred artists and yet you only ever see David's art – he has a whole meta strand about making art, looking at art, art world systems and so on so it made him the perfect artist to work with," Bryan notes.
Shrigley's illustrations throughout the book maintain his characteristic large, colorful style, featuring straightforward messages like "you like this" and "there are no rules." While his imagery may appear on-the-nose, its tongue-in-cheek simplicity has captured audiences' hearts by making them feel seen and understood. The advice doesn't condescend but rather empowers readers to engage with art on their own terms.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge endorses the book as offering "art without terror," highlighting its straightforward, joyful approach that never talks down to readers. The book proudly embraces a lowbrow and sincere attitude, reflecting what Bryan describes as the majority of working-class art appreciators. Even Bryan's six-year-old child points out that the title "doesn't make sense," but this playful nonsense contributes to the book's undeniable accessibility.
Bryan acknowledges that her 20 years in the art world haven't left her completely free of pretensions, but writing the book became a process of self-examination. "I've worked in the art world for 20 years so I would be lying if I said I am free of pretensions! But the process of writing the book was a great way to interrogate them!" she admits. She describes her critical moments toward the art world as similar to teasing beloved siblings – acceptable because of deep affection.
The book serves as a love letter to Bryan's formative years in hospitality work and represents the kind of resource she wished existed during her youth. "I would have been so happy to even have one chapter of this kind of book when I was growing up. All I knew was that I loved art, I loved the way it made me feel to make it and look at it – to see the world differently," she reflects.
For those wondering how to begin their art journey, Bryan's advice remains refreshingly uncomplicated, mirroring Shrigley's artistic approach. She encourages readers to ask themselves fundamental questions: "What turns you on? What excites you? And does this bore you?" Her answer to engaging with art is equally straightforward: "Live with art, visit it, make it, talk about it – your life will be all the richer for it!"
"How to Art" represents more than just another art guide – it's a manifesto for making creativity accessible to everyone, regardless of educational background or social class. The collaboration between Bryan and Shrigley demonstrates that art education doesn't need to be intimidating or exclusive, but can instead be a source of joy and empowerment for anyone willing to engage with it.
