By Emily Waldorf

The author Danielle Ganek at her book release party at the Guggenheim last May

If you are curious about what goes on behind the scenes in the art world and would love to live a day in the glamorous (or not so glamorous as it turns out) shoes of a gallerina, then Danielle Ganek‘s debut novel, Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him, is for you.  The book was met with glowing reviews from The New York Times as well as art world insiders such as Larry Gagosian and Richard Prince.  

While Ms. Ganek is an established Upper East Side collector and her insanely likeable protagonist, Mia McMurray, is the polar opposite, a downtown gallerina, Ms. Ganek never misses a beat.  She seamlessly describes all of the usual art world suspects, from the debonaire gallerist to the nouveau riche art addict.  In one very telling scene, Connie Butler, a “prominent” collector, gives advice to a woman hoping to start her own brag worthy collection:   

Connie advises, “When you walk into a gallery…talk about anything but art for the first ten minutes.  Never show too much interest.  You’ve got to establish a rapport, break the ice, you know?…But don’t take no for an answer either…if you want to be a top collector, you have to be a bit of a bulldog… Continue reading ‘Art World Exposed Through the Eyes of a Lovable Gallerina’