Future Relic cover art

Future Relic

Failures, Disasters, Detours, and How I Made a Career as an Artist

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Future Relic

By: Daniel Arsham
Narrated by: Daniel Arsham
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Pre-order for $21.99

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About this listen

Inspiration is for amateurs. I’m a professional artist: I wake up every day and go to work.

This is the mindset that transformed Daniel Arsham from a student scraping by in his Brooklyn studio into one of the most sought-after artists of his generation. In Future Relic, he breaks through the mystique of the art world and shows what it really takes to make it in any creative endeavor.

From a childhood in Miami working with his first camera in the wake of Hurricane Andrew’s devastation, to formative student years at Cooper Union in New York, to collaborations with Merce Cunningham and Pharrell Williams, to designing for Christian Dior and the Cleveland Cavaliers: Arsham shares the stories that built him and his work to where they are today.

This isn't a romanticized memoir, it’s a master class–a brutally honest and practical handbook for anyone pursuing an artistic career. As we follow his path through the highs and the lows, the breakthroughs and the rejections, we also learn the art of the grind: how to get a gallery, why you need a great lawyer, how to run a creative business, and why surrounding yourself with ambitious, successful people is non-negotiable.

Inside, you'll discover:
  • How to land gallery representation without connections or an MFA
  • The business fundamentals that turned a studio practice into a global brand
  • Negotiation tactics for licensing deals and brand partnerships worth millions
  • Financial frameworks for scaling from solo artist to studio team of 20+
  • The rejection-to-opportunity system that turned every "no" into career fuel
  • Behind-the-scenes breakdowns of projects with Dior Men's, Pokémon × Uniqlo, and Porsche

Sustainable creative success isn't about waiting for lightning to strike. It's about showing up, doing the work, and never giving up on your vision.
Art Creativity Personal Development

Critic Reviews

“This guy for me–forget about it. His work makes you pay attention to humanity.” (Pharrell Williams, Grammy-winning Musician, Producer, Songwriter, Designer)
“Pure artistry.” (GUNNA, Musician & Producer)
“I was immediately moved by the humanity of his work.” (Juliette Lewis, Actress)
“The cassettes, the VHS, the Walkmans, these were things that made us who we are as artists. His way of preserving that, and immortalizing what it is, is why I love his work.” (Usher, Musician, Actor, and Entrepreneur)
“Daniel’s work captivates with its vision, but it’s who he is, generous, grounded, and deeply human that stays with you.” (Cedric Grolet, Pastry Chef)
“This book is rooted in authenticity, driven by feeling. Inspires the next generation to create with purpose and courage.” (Nobu Matsuhisa, Chef and Restaurateur)
“He doesn’t just contribute, he elevates and shifts the perspective. He makes what we know already feel new.” (Fabolous, Musician and Performer)
“This guy for me–forget about it. His work makes you pay attention to humanity.” (Pharrell Williams, Grammy-winning Musician, Producer, Songwriter, Designer)
“Pure artistry.” (GUNNA, Musician & Producer)
“I was immediately moved by the humanity of his work.” (Juliette Lewis, Actress)
“The cassettes, the VHS, the Walkmans, these were things that made us who we are as artists. His way of preserving that, and immortalizing what it is, is why I love his work.” (Usher, Musician, Actor, and Entrepreneur)
“Daniel’s work captivates with its vision, but it’s who he is, generous, grounded, and deeply human that stays with you.” (Cedric Grolet, Pastry Chef)
“This book is rooted in authenticity, driven by feeling. Inspires the next generation to create with purpose and courage.” (Nobu Matsuhisa, Chef and Restaurateur)
“He doesn’t just contribute, he elevates and shifts the perspective. He makes what we know already feel new.” (Fabolous, Musician and Performer)
No reviews yet
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