Art Work: On the Creative Life

Sally Mann. Penguin Books, (288p) ISBN: 9780241774540. Memoir, read 10/05/25, eBook ★★★★☆

Art Works

Art Works

I’ve got to admit I have ‘Hold Still’ by Sally Mann on the shelf waiting to be read but this came up on Netgalley and I thought I may as well give this a go first.

Though this is a craft book the craft is explained through memoir and in the most loose of senses. It looks at different aspects of what it takes to be a photographer and then goes down a rabbit hole of experience to show this strength.

Each of the section was a rambling journey through her life that led her to the conclusions on her art that sometimes had very little to do with art itself but for me emphasised that art and life are not two separate spheres but are interlocked and refelct each other.

I was gobsmacked by the trailer incident…

If you are reading this for some technical help or real insight to practice this may not be for you but if you are willing to synthesise the lessons here with the overarching theme of the chapter you can at least get a look at how Sally Mann works.

She has an interesting writing style that does keep you hooked all the way through and the reflections are always edifying.

I really enjoyed the inserts and type-written extra to her friends and families, I also enjoyed how she held little reverence for her own work often penning off notes on the back of ‘failed’ prints.

Overall well worth a read, but more a memoir than a manual so know what you’re going to get.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Think Like a Street Photographer

Matt Stuart. Orion Publishing. (128p) ISBN: 9781786277282
Think Like a Street Photographer

Think Like a Street Photographer

This was one of the books that I got on a visit to the Baltic in Gateshead a little while back.

I thought I would get this as I loved Matt Stuarts photo that was on the front of the book Street Photography Now, the one of the marching pigeon, and the cover photo of this book was fun!

A fun little book broken down into short but informative chapters on various aspects of street photography and how Matt approaches them.

The best bit about the book is that he gives you no ‘rules’ just some tips on how he works and what works for him and lets you run with the ideas.

From ‘Think Lucky, Be Lucky’ where he talks about a positive attitude in looking for photographs all the way to ‘The Last Word’ talking about striving and pushing yourself, this is full of really helpful thoughts that I’m going to try and fold into my own practice.

The whole is supported so well with great examples of his own work, highlighting what he is trying to explain in a visual manner.

A lovely little book that can be carried in your bag and referenced when having a cup of coffee and thinking about what and where next when out and about with your camera.


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Light Matters

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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Tarot: Library of Esoterica

ed. Jessica Hundley. Taschen. (520p) ISBN: 9783836579872
Tarot: Library of Esoterica

Tarot: Library of Esoterica

I was looking in the window of Watkins Books in Cecil Court when I first saw the Library of Esoterica books and just couldn’t carry them home.

So as soon as I got the chance I just had to have them, especially the Tarot book as it is an area of my life that I’m re-exploring at the moment.

From the start I was going to use these books as something to dip in and out of and take my time with them, that didn’t happen.

As soon as I started this book I just knew that I had to read it from start to finish straight away, thankfully I was on holiday and it was raining.

I spent most of a couple of days all wrapped up in blankets with a hot drink wrapped up in this book, fascinated by the different cards from so many different decks through the ages.

All of which has tickled my collecting bug and it took all my willpower not to buy a good twenty new tarot decks over these last couple of days.

The writing that supported the art is a collection of good essays about the history and cultural significance of tarot and a rather pared down look at the meanings of the cards and suits.

All well laid out and easily understood as a good survey should be and letting the cards and their symbology tell the story.Fascinating and inspiring, left me wanting more (though I was a wee bit disappointed that my favourite deck wasn’t in there 😉 ).

Looking forward to reading the last two from the series; Astrology and Plant Magic.


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Unravelling Women’s Art

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 Photography Ideas Book

Lorna Yabsley. Octopus Publishing. (176p) ISBN: 9781781576663
The Photography Ideas Book

The Photography Ideas Book

I picked this book up at The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead along with several others of the same series on a recent trip.

I’ve been feeling very stale about my photography recently and was looking for books to help stimulate and inspire.

This is an easy book to dip in and out of having a collection of 80 photos from which the author draws ideas for a photo project theme, or just a technique to try out.

It doesn’t take long to read cover to cover but I don’t really feel that’s the purpose of this book.

I’ll be keeping it on the shelf and reach for it whenever I feel jaded about my photography, choose something to try or further research and get stimulated once more.

It has kicked off a renewed interest in my and others photography once more and for that I’m really grateful.

Best of all I’ve bookmarked several ideas/projects to get started on in the next few days!


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