Can an artist claim that an object is a work of art if it has been made for him or her by someone else? If so, who is the author of such a work? And just what is the difference between a work of art and a work of craft? In the first book of its kind, Michael Petry tackles these questions head on, exploring the concepts of authorship, artistic originality, skill, craftsmanship and the creative act, and highlighting the vital role that skills from craft and industrial production play in creating some of todays most innovative and highly sought-after works of contemporary art. "The Art of Not Making" includes artworks by Grayson Perry, Ai Weiwei, Matthew Barney, Chris Burden and Louise Bourgeois alongside original interviews with craftsmen who explore how the collaboration with a skilled maker results in objects that are exquisitely made and finished.