🎤 Seriously Agile’s Top 5 Books for South Asian Artists (Who Don’t Usually Read)
“Read so you don’t have to fail your way through everything.” – Shabir Mustehsan, FounderÂ
🌍 1. “Art/Work” by Heather Darcy Bhandari & Jonathan Melber
South Asian Spin:
You won’t learn how to price your painting, pitch a gallery, or protect your rights from your average “uncle.”
This book gives the blueprint no one talks about — contracts, payments, copyright, and real talk about being an artist in a business-first world.
Why it matters here:
We weren’t raised to see art as a viable career. This book gives you the receipts to argue back — with structure, not sentiment.
🧠Seriously Agile Tip: Skim the contract chapters. Read the checklist pages. Screenshot the templates.
📲 2. “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon
South Asian Spin:
We were taught to be humble, not loud. But this is about sharing not showing off.
Whether you’re in Karachi, Dhaka, or Delhi, posting your process, sketches, or rap lyrics can build global fans.
Why it matters here:
Most creators wait till something is “perfect.” Kleon says: start messy, start now.
🧠Seriously Agile Tip: Try the “daily post challenge” — 1 behind-the-scenes story per day. Let the algorithm work for you.
🔥 3. “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
South Asian Spin:
This is therapy for artists raised in pressure-cooker environments.
It’s about fighting the voice in your head that says “this isn’t practical” or “log kya kahenge.”
Why it matters here:
If you’re the first in your family to go into music, art, or film — this is your mental armor.
🧠Seriously Agile Tip: Read 5 pages every time you feel stuck or scared to post.
💰 4. “How to Make It in the Art World” by Brainard Carey
South Asian Spin:
There’s no step-by-step “syllabus” for getting exhibitions or building a fan base. But this book is the closest thing.
It teaches you how to get noticed without selling your soul or relying on fake followers.
Why it matters here:
South Asian creators often get stuck in clout cycles. This teaches how to build real value.
🧠Seriously Agile Tip: Use it to write your artist statement or apply to a local gallery or grant.
🚀 5. “Real Artists Don’t Starve” by Jeff Goins
South Asian Spin:
We grew up believing that “only engineers and doctors make money.”
This book shows that you can monetize your creativity — without waiting for a record deal or big sponsor.
Why it matters here:
It highlights creators (even from small towns) who built 6-figure brands through writing, painting, performing, and yes — TikTok.
🧠Seriously Agile Tip: Make a Notion or Google Doc called “Ways I Can Monetize My Art” based on this book’s examples.
đź’¬ The Final Word
Our region doesn’t hand artists a playbook — you either read someone else’s story or crash your own ship trying to learn. These 5 books are not academic. They’re real stories, blueprints, and business tools wrapped in easy reads.