The $12 Million Stuffed Shark

The $12 Million Stuffed Shark (2008) examines the economics and marketing strategies behind the contemporary art world, exploring how pieces like Damien Hirst’s shark sculpture and Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings command such astronomical prices. Covering auction houses, dealers, and collectors, it reveals the forces that drive art market valuations and the role of branding in an artist’s financial success.

• Art enthusiasts wanting to build a collection
• Aspiring artists who want a snapshot of the contemporary art market
• Economists interested in learning more about a niche asset class

Don Thompson is an economist and author known for his expertise in the economics of the art market. He’s a professor emeritus at York University and has written extensively on the financial aspects of contemporary art.