Tag Archives: Art Book

Light Matters

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Vicki Goldberg. Aperture. (248p) ISBN: 9781597111652
Light Matters

Light Matters

A collection of essays exploring some of the usual ‘canon’ of photographers of the twentieth century, with a definitely western bias, if not a US one.

This is definitely an end of the Twentieth Century™ survey, before the explosion of 21st Century reappraisals and widening of the acknowledged ‘greats’.

But for all that the collection of essays cover some important photographers to the early history of the art, and some of the broader subjects that photography encompasses. In doing so Vicki Goldberg gives a great introduction to these area with a brilliantly sardonic and knowing wink.

Most of the articles for individual photographers were in response to exhibitions of their work, and explored the artist through this lens. I especially enjoyed the article about Martin Parr which explored the way that he approaches the intrusions of his ‘in your face’ photography style and that he acknowledges the possibly exploitative nature of this practice.

The final essays that explore themes in photography were really interesting especially the last which looks at the entwining of the modern age, ready access to images, and the hiding of personal death away from the public as gruesome death had become performative through different medias such as films, TV, and newspapers.

Overall a great read but definitely of its time.

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Unravelling Women’s Art

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P L Henderson. Aurora Metro. (280p) ISBN: 9781913641153
Unravelling Women’s Art

Unravelling Women’s Art

I’d been following @womensart1 for absolutely ages and when I saw there was a book coming out I had to grab it, so pleased I did, wonderful survey of textile arts variety and history.

The book explores various aspects of textile art, giving each area a chapter to itself, such as Identity, Fashion, and Weird and Wonderful.

It takes a time-based survey of work that has been produced in each of these broad areas then emphasises and reclaims the idea of ‘craft’ into the world of art.

I was absolutely fascinated reading from start to finish with the examples that were used to broaden the story of women’s textile art through the years and looked forward to the interview section at the end of each chapter.

After reading this book we were watching a TV programme on the V&A museum when a piece of cloth came on and I was able to identify it as Ghanaian Kente cloth, which really impressed my partner.

An important book in the study of textile art and the reclaiming of the idea of craft as an important type of art, well worth a read.

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The Secret Lives of Colour

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Kassia St Clair. John Murray Press. (336p) ISBN: 9781473630833
The Secret Lives of Colour

The Secret Lives of Colour

I bought The Secret Lives of Colour as I loved the cover and I’ve already got a couple of book on the science and psychology of colour.

The book begins with a survey of the history of colour, it socioeconomic and political uses and limitations, existing information that is nicely wrapped up and gives a good introduction to the central part of the book which is to follow individual colours through time, development and use.

Colours are grouped in general families, browns, reds, etc. then several shades of the colour are chosen to be written about.

The thing I loved about this book was how it’s the perfect bedside book, dipping into a chapter each night before sleep catches up with me. Each chapter is fascinating and as vivid as the colours being described.

This is another keeper for me which I keep dipping back into now and again.

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The Photographer’s Playbook

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Jason Fulford, Gregory Halpern. Aperture. (440p) ISBN: 9781597112475
The Photographer's Playbook

The Photographer’s Playbook

Another book that had been languishing on my TBR shelves of shame for at least 3 years, I bought it at the Tate on a pre-covid trip to London.

I finally decided as part of my return to photography and art that it would be a fun read…

It was, but in a completely different way than I was initially thinking, it was almost as though I was back at university the amount of notes and tabs that I’ve put into the book to return to later, it also gave so many ideas for further reading, and kindled that feeling of excitement that I first had when I started out taking photographs.

This is a catalogue of ideas, assignments, and exercises that range from the practical to the zen from some of the worlds leading photography educators and thinkers.

Some of them are to make you think about the mechanics of the process, some more about the philosophy of image making and your place in it.

I loved all of them, though some made my brain itch.

This initial read through was just that, an initial exploration of the thoughts that were being shared by the contributors. This playbook need constantly revisiting and each exercise needs time, but the book is worth all the more for it. I can see this book becoming a core companion to my future photography practice.

The best thing? I’ll have to buy a new notebook to companion my work from here.

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Surreal Spaces: The Life and Art of Leonora Carrington

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Joanna Moorhead. Thames & Hudson. (224p) ISBN: 9780500025512
Surreal Spaces: The Life and Art of Leonora Carrington

Surreal Spaces: The Life and Art of Leonora Carrington

First of all I have to give a huge thanks to Thames & Hudson for sending me a copy of this to read and review.

I’d only recently found Leonora Carrington through the book, The Tarot of Leonora Carrington, and was immediately gripped by her work.

This book, Surreal Spaces, is a wonderfully written and researched monograph on her life and works. Looking into what took her down certain roads and exploring her art during each of these periods.

What sets it apart from other art monographs though is the personal nature of the relationship between the author and artist, Joanna Moorhead also going on a journey of discovery of this woman who is related to her but not immediately know and has to be revisited both as family and artist.

I took an Art History degree and was fascinated by Surrealism but the only names we were ever told were Breton and Dali, and the feud between these to men, but it comes as no real surprise to find that women who were seen as great artists at the time were written out of HIStory once more.

Another woman who’s skills and artistry is now only being rediscovered after her death tells why we need more book like this one exploring the strength, passion, and imagination of Leonora Carrington.

What I really liked most about this book is that the familial link gave what could have been an impersonal, yet important, exploration of an artists life energy and warmth.

This is a great read, well set out and well researched with fascinating historical context of a brilliant artist, and I really need to see her work in real life rather than reproduction soon.

If you have any interest in women’s art, art history, or surrealism this is a must have book.

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