The longest-running book series dedicated to contemporary art.
Described by Artforum as ‘the boldest, best executed, and most far-reaching publishing project devoted to contemporary art,’ Phaidon's groundbreaking Contemporary Artists Series features the greatest contemporary artists of our time, with contributions from leading critics, curators, and writers.
The Contemporary Artists Series was launched by Iwona Blazwick, at the time a commissioning editor for Phaidon, and later, Whitechapel Art Gallery director. The series’ unique editorial approach, which prioritizes a diverse variety of perspectives from multiple experts, includes a conversation with the artist, a long survey text, and a shorter focus text on a single body of work, in addition to artist’s writings, a studio visit, and a comprehensive chronology.
Launched in 1995, this year the series celebrates its 30th anniversary and 100th artist monograph.
Shop the books
Shop the limited editions
Shop the Anniversary Collection
In honor of The Contemporary Artists Series’ 30th anniversary, we are proud to offer an exclusive limited-edition collection featuring all 100 Contemporary Artists Series monographs, including rare and out-of-print volumes specially sourced from Phaidon’s archives.
'The series' scope, in my view, is to reflect the current cultural climate, not to dictate it.'
No one knows Phaidon’s Contemporary Artists Series better than Michele Robecchi. The Italian-born, London-based writer, curator, and editor responsible for, among other things, this canonical series of monographs.
Learn about about the series' beginnings, why Robecchi always wants the books to 'introduce, celebrate and surprise,' and what he's learned from working so closely with artists over the years.
