Yesterday, I had one of those unexpected moments that stick with you. I spent a couple of hours with Sonia Borrell in Paris. (Yeah, the Sonia Borrell.) It was right before the launch of her book Art in Real-Time: Collecting Tomorrow’s Master and the opening of “La Vie est Belle” at the Zberro gallery. A double-whammy of art world buzz.
Now, let me tell you, Sonia is a force. The moment she walked into the bar where we met, the air changed. (Seriously, the bartender perked up like we’d just stepped into a movie scene.) It wasn’t just her presence—it was this magnetic energy, a cocktail of passion, humanity, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe art fumes? Whatever it was, she had it in spades.
Talking to Sonia feels like being inside her book. One moment we’re discussing up-and-coming artists, and the next she’s interrupted by a call from a legendary gallerist. No big deal. Or, casually, an audio message from a world-renowned artist. This is just Sonia’s life. She breathes art. Lives it. (Honestly, I think she is art.) You don’t just chat with her, you absorb her stories—her whole journey.
Halfway through our conversation, I realized something—this book she’s written? It’s only the beginning. If you think Art in Real-Time dives deep into the art world (it really does), there’s still so much more bubbling beneath the surface. Her knowledge is beyond vast—it’s like she’s mapped out every corner of the art engine, from the tiniest cog to the biggest gear. Every mechanism that makes the art world spin? She knows it. (Intimately.)
That’s why, if you have even the slightest interest in art, you’ve got to read this book. Whether you’re a new collector trying to figure out where to start, or a seasoned one navigating those big six-figure purchases, Sonia lays it all out for you. It’s not just a guide; it’s an invitation. An invitation to step fully into the art world—into the mind of a true collector. You’ll learn how to spot trends, build relationships with galleries and artists, and understand the often-unseen forces that shape art as we know it.
But let me add something crucial here. The book isn’t just for collectors. As an artist myself, I devoured it. The perspective Sonia offers is one we don’t often get—a view of the art world from multiple angles, some of which we artists tend to overlook. Her insights into the market, the gallery systems, and even how collectors think, gave me a broader understanding of the whole ecosystem we work in. It’s like a backstage pass to the inner workings of a machine we’re all a part of but rarely get to see in action.
Honestly, I could’ve stayed in that bar forever, listening to her. But alas, the show (and the art world) had to go on. But lucky for us, her book is out there. So, go grab it. Dive in. It’s time to fully step into the world of contemporary art collecting—and who better to guide you than Sonia Borrell? Whether you’re a collector, an artist, or just someone passionate about art, this book will give you a fresh lens to view it all.