Art & Photography Books

Book SynopsisOver the years, Marvel Contest of Champions has become more epic, the heroes more powerful and the enemies more cunning - but the game has retained its core: the greatest battles in Marvel history! You have been summoned to the Battlerealm for the greatest Super Hero showdowns! Who will conquer the Contest? Marvel Contest of Champions: The Art of the Battlerealm is the ultimate visual companion for a true collector. Capturing the intensity of Kabam's extraordinary game, this book features amazing concept art, sketches and storyboards. Discover more about Marvel's vast Battlerealm - the cosmic arena for the Contest of Champions - and your favourite Super Heroes and Villains, with exclusive commentary from the creators and fascinating insights into the creative process. This incredible collection of art will take you on an exciting journey through the dangerous and mysterious world of Marvel Contest of Champions.Trade Review“No brainer pickup for Contest of Champions super fans thanks to the great looking concept art and information it provides for the game's run” - Entertainment Buddha“interesting commentary and insight into making a game world that’s a combination of many things, yet comes out being its own thing” - Adventures in Poor Taste “a true celebration...Recommended!” - Impulse Gamer“very insightful to the game” - Geekisphere

Read more less

Book SynopsisContemporary art is obsessed with the politics of identity. Visit any contemporary gallery, museum or theatre, and chances are the art on offer will be principally concerned with race, gender, sexuality, power and privilege.The quest for truth, freedom and the sacred has been thrust aside to make room for identity politics. Mystery, individuality and beauty are out; radical feminism, racial grievance and queer theory are in. The result is a drearily predictable culture and the narrowing of the space for creative self-expression and honest criticism.Sohrab Ahmari's book is a passionate cri de coeur against this state of affairs. The New Philistines takes readers deep inside a cultural scene where all manner of ugly, inept art is celebrated so long as it toes the ideological line, and where the artistic glories of the Western world are revised and disfigured to fit the rigid doctrines of identity politics.The degree of politicisation means that art no longer performs its historical function, as a mirror and repository of the human spirit - something that should alarm not just art lovers but anyone who cares about the future of liberal civilisation.Trade Review"Sohrab Ahmari's polemic against the contemporary art world is angry, witty, uncompromising, and utterly unanswerable... Tremendously entertaining and thought-provoking." - Andrew Roberts, Commentary; "An elegant and necessary salvo in a new culture war." - Quillette; "An ambitious new series that tackles the controversy of the topics explored with a mixture of intelligence and forthright argument from some excellent writers." The Observer; "This short book is reminiscent of pre-novelist Tom Wolfe books like The Painted Word and From Bauhaus to Our House, which told amusing but depressing tales about lefty politics making their way into the art world, making both art and politics worse in the process." - National Review

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Hall’s consummate history is not just the story of the evolution of one of the world’s great collections… The book is also a through-the-keyhole insight into the shifting tastes, good or bad, of 1,000 years of monarchs."- The TimesThe Royal Collection is the last great collection formed by the European monarchies to have survived into the twenty-first century. Containing over a million artworks and objects, it covers all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, from paintings by Rembrandt and Michelangelo to grand sculpture, Fabergé eggs and some of the most exquisite furniture ever made. The Royal Collection also offers a revealing insight into the history of the British monarchy from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II, recording the tastes and obsessions of kings and queens over the past 500 years. With unprecedented access to the royal residences of St James' Palace, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, Art, Passion & Power traces the history of this national institution from the Middle Ages to the present day, exploring how royalty used the arts to strengthen their position as rulers by divine right and celebrating treasures from the Crown Jewels to the "Abraham" tapestries in Hampton Court Palace. Author Michael Hall examines the monarchy's response to changing attitudes to the arts and sciences during the Enlightenment and celebrates the British monarchy's role in the democratisation of art in the modern world. Packed with glimpses of rarely seen artworks, Art, Passion & Power is a visual treat for all art enthusiasts. Accompanying the BBC television series and a major exhibition at the Royal Academy, Art, Passion & Power is the definitive statement on the British monarchy's treasures of the art world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn understanding of trends is a fundamental skill for anyone working in the fashion industry. In this book Gwyneth Holland and Rae Jones look at how to produce a well-researched trend, from initial inspiration to concrete idea and, eventually, real product. Illustrated throughout with insights from practicing trend forecasters and industry insiders, it is an invaluable guide for fashion students and practitioners alike.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery building starts with an idea. But how do you get from a concept to a piece of architecture? Why do some ideas work better than others? What is a ''good'' design?This approachable guidebook will help students find their own answers to these questions. It covers every aspect of the design process with examples drawn from all types of architecture, giving students the tools to develop their own unique ways of working. With accessible text and hundreds of images, this is an indispensable and illuminating guide for beginning architecture students as well as anyone who is curious about how design works.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe marketing, promotion, and communication of fashion is entering an extremely dynamic, fast moving, and challenging phase. This book will put the consumer at the heart of the process, looking at how to develop a brand with which they can form an immediate connection and how to select, use, and combine the tools available to communicate the brand message. Advertising campaigns, both traditional offline and online, are discussed together with the existing and new methods of PR and promotion. Individual chapters then look at social media, e-commerce and online fashion retail, personal selling and offline fashion retail, direct marketing, fashion shows, and sales promotions. The final chapter looks at how to cost and assess the effectiveness of each method of promotion and communication. Illustrated throughout with campaigns in all forms of media, the book also includes case studies and interviews with leading professionals.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect introduction to the city’s architectural heritage, Barcelona Sketchbook gives visitors and residents insight into a wealth of sights, both grand and intimate in scale. Many facets of the Catalonia capital and surroundings are recorded here, as Graham Byfield strolls with his sketchpad through the Ramblas, the glories of Antoni Gaudí, the great ceremonial buildings, and cafés and parks full of character. On the way, with a few pencil strokes and splashes of watercolour, he captures scenes of daily life, as well as a plethora of architectural wonders dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the County of Barcelona in the Middle Ages. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, it continued to be an important city as an economic and administrative centre and the capital of the Principality of Catalonia. Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today a major tourist destination being one of the world’s most visited cities. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is also an important port, has hosted two International Exhibitions and is known for its successful Summer Olympics in 1992. Accompanying the paintings and sketches are observations and notes handwritten by the artist, as well as a learned and informative introduction to Barcelona and its various areas by heritage expert Marcus Binney.

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Art is the flower, life is the green leaf’ – Charles Rennie Mackintosh Haphazard bunches, formal bouquets, chance arrangements, quiet and thoughtful rural encounters – The Book of the Flower is a sylvan collection of beautiful depictions of flowers by artists, photographers and illustrators. Interspersed through the illustrations are short texts about the artists and their interest in particular flowers, from Georgia O’Keeffe’s sumptuous close-ups of Jimson Weed and cactus flowers to Matisse’s roses, Keika Hasegawa’s chrysanthemums and Albert York’s close study of zinnias. A wonderful collection for art-lovers, gardeners and flower-fanciers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe best-selling Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones presents a radical new story of British art. "Sensations is a riveting story of art and science: thoughtful, provocative and persuasive" - The Times "Erudite, impassioned, fascinating" - Financial Times “Sensations brilliantly marshals Jones’s extensive research into engaging narratives of British intellectual history… Compelling.” Times Literary Supplement “I even loved Jonathan’s writing when he slagged my work off! He is a true thinker, a brilliant art historian who can back up his criticism with more than just opinion.” – Tracey Emin “Sensations presents a radically new story of British art. It connects the artists of today with British culture more than three hundred years ago as it finds an unexpected thread that links William Hogarth and Tracey Emin, Thomas Gainsborough and Lucian Freud. What they share is an eye for the real world. I hope this book will change how you see Britain, and its art.” – Jonathan Jones What is the artistic impulse uniting Robert Hooke's drawings of insects, George Stubbs's studies of horses and Damien Hirst's pickled shark? In this new and spirited account of British art, Jonathan Jones argues for empiricism. From the Enlightenment to the present, British artists have shared a passion for looking hard at the world around them. Jones shows how this zeal for precision and careful observation paved the way for Realism, Impressionism and the birth of modern art. This essential art book is a must-read for fans of Gombrich’s The Story of Art and the perfect introduction to British art history. Also by Laurence King Publishing: - A World History of Art by John Fleming and Hugh Honour (9781856695848) - The Short Story of Art by Susie Hodge (9781780679686)

Read more less

Book SynopsisA concise and accessible pocket guide to the forces that have shaped design.Written by two experts on modern design, 100 Ideas that Changed Design chronicles the most influential ideas that have shaped industrial and product design. From the origins of modern design in the craft movements of the 19th and early 20th century, and the changes brought about by mass production, the book traces the most important ideas in design through the modern movement and post-war consumer society to more recent ideas such as Open-Source Design and Biomimicry. Provides a compelling look at the ideas that have changed design over the last 100 years Compiled as a mix of beautiful images and information text, this book covers the history of design in an innovative way Visually led book, packed with beautiful images, introducing design history in a deservedly visual way Concise edition from the bestselling 100 Ideas series The perfect gift for designers and general readers alikeExplore more books in the 100 Ideas series:- 100 Ideas that Changed Architecture- 100 Ideas that Changed Art- 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion- 100 Ideas that Changed Film- 100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design- 100 Ideas that Changed PhotographyCharlotte and Peter Fiell are the authors of over 20 books on design and the visual arts, including The Story of Design, Designing the 21st Century and the bestselling 1000 Chairs.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Wonderful stories and in-depth information you will normally never find in books about trees." - Piet Oudolf, Landscape Designer and creator of the planting design for New York's High Line"Entwining fascinating facts about 100 trees with inspiring stories of their importance to ancient civilizations, trade, religious and pagan beliefs, wellbeing and medicinal uses over the ages, this delightful and well-researched book provokes curiosity on every page." - Dr. Alexandra Wagstaffe, Eden Project LearningThe Story of Trees takes the reader on a visual journey from some of the earliest known tree species on our planet to the latest fruit cultivars.The chosen trees have all had a profound effect on the planet and humankind. Starting with the Ginkgo Biloba, fossils of which date back 270 million years, we learn about how trees came to be integral to the development of our species, and how specific trees have become important religious, political, and cultural symbols.With beautiful illustrations by Thibaud Herem and fascinating botanical facts and figures, this book will appeal to tree lovers from all over the world."Within these pages, we hope to inform and inspire those who already have a love of trees, as well as those who otherwise may have taken them for granted. The Story of Treesis our story, but also that of our ancestors. It is about our relationship with some of the world's most important trees, both on a local scale and globally. With so many trees to choose from, we have endeavored to feature those that have been, and in most cases continue to be, of cultural and practical value to humankind." - From the Introduction of The Story of TreesTrade Review"A fascinating book on just how trees have changed the way we live." -- - Sunday Express"An engaging, digestible take on the tree anthology; drawing together arboreal histories, attractive illustrations and a few surprises along the way." -- - Gardens Illustrated"Well researched and full off interesting facts and figures linking history, folklore, economics and horticulture (...) a fascinating and attractive read." -- - RHS The Plant Review

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Offering an alternative, female–focused history, Women in Design is an essential new tome dedicated to the innovators who have shaped the design world" – ELLE DecorationFeaturing more than 100 profiles of pioneering women designers, some who have achieved global recognition such as Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand and Zaha Hadid, it also introduces the fascinating and often untold stories of lesser–known designers, who have similarly shaped and enriched the story of design. An excerpt from the book:"This book is, first and foremost, a celebration of some truly remarkable women whose careers in design have been exceptional. They can rightly be called exceptional because, despite the odds stacked against them, the women featured here created significant bodies of work within what was – and to a certain extent still is – the male–dominated field of design. By highlighting their extraordinary achievements, our intention is to contextualize the role of women in design over the last one hundred years or so in order to trace how the status of female designers has evolved, while at the same time assessing where it stands today. In the past, all too often the work of female designers was overlooked in the literature on design, while also being woefully under–represented in exhibitions and museum collections. This book seeks to redress these outstanding omissions.The primary reasons for this paucity of representation are that – as in other male–dominated professions – women were often either largely excluded from certain areas of endeavour or had no option but to take on subordinate roles. Women designers and their work have, also, all too often been assessed through the lens of the patriarchy, meaning they have either been entirely defined by their gender or their contributions have been subsumed under that of their ''more famous'' husbands, brothers, fathers or lovers. This book attempts to tell a very different story, one that appraises their activities within the wider landscape of the feminist movement – both past and present. It is only now that women designers working in developed free–market economies are beginning to enjoy anything like equality with their male counterparts when it comes to professional access and recognition, let alone parity of remuneration. As for women living elsewhere in the world, having any kind of professional career, let alone one in design, is still often largely an impossible dream."

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by Musa Mayer - Philip Guston's daughter and President of The Guston Foundation - this book brings Guston's life and his hugely rich and diverse output together into one succinct volume. Split into three sections covering Guston's early career, his mid-century Abstract Expressionist work, and his controversial but now hugely influential late period, the book offers a complete introduction and overview of a mercurial figure.

Read more less

Book SynopsisArtemisia Gentileschi was the greatest female artists of the Baroque age. In Artemisia Gentileschi, critic and historian Jonathan Jones discovers how Artemisia overcame a turbulent past to become one of the foremost painters of her day.As a young woman Artemisia was raped by her tutor, and then had to endure a seven-month-long trial during which she was brutally examined by the authorities. Gentileschi was shamed in a culture where honour was everything. Yet she went on to become one of the most sought-after artists of the seventeenth century. Yet she went on to become one of the most sought-after artists of the seventeenth century. Gentileschi's art communicated a powerful personal vision. Like Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois or Tracey Emin, she put her life into her art.'Lives of the Artists'is a new series of brief artists biographies from Laurence King Publishing. The series takes as its inspiration Giorgio Vasari's five-hundred-year-old masterwork, updating it with modern takes on the lives of key artists past and present. Focusing on the life of the artist rather than examining their work, each book also includes key images illustrating the artist's life.Trade Review"In the world and words of Jones’s book, the 17th century could have happened yesterday, it is urgent, immediate and very compelling." -- Irish Times"Jonathan Jones’s highly readable Artemisia Gentileschi is the latest in the publisher Laurence King’s ‘Lives of the Artists’ series. (...) Jones gives a lively account of her life and career, and his enthusiasm for her work permeates his writing: the descriptive passages on her paintings are especially evocative." -- Apollo Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Short Story of Women Artists tells the full history - from the breakthroughs that women have made in pushing for parity with male artists, to the important contributions made to otherwise male-dominated artistic movements, and the forgotten and obscured artists who are now being rediscovered and reassessed. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of the full achievements that female artists have made.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnderstanding the relationship between design and technology is critical to the understanding of architecture. This book clearly explains the core aspects of architectural technology: structural physics, structural elements and forms, heating, lighting, environmental control and computer modelling. The third edition includes six new case studies, more on structural types, new information on construction detailing, passive building principles and designing for different climatic conditions. This essential introduction to architecture will help students to integrate their design thinking with the appropriate structural and environmental solutions.Trade ReviewAn important contributor to students' development and understanding of technology. * YAZID KHEMRI - BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive sourcebook of over 500 patterns across six design styles, a must-have for anyone involved in textiles and the decorative arts.Delicate florals, bold stripes, geometric prints and sumptuous brocades – delve into the world of textile pattern design with this showcase of over 500 patterns. Close-up, highly detailed images of both designer creations and everyday items from the 1800s to the 1990s perfectly capture the intricacies of each fabric, while accompanying texts provide fascinating insights into the history and creative process of pattern design.This beautiful and accessible book is a valuable resource for anyone in search of visual inspiration.Table of Contents:Floral(abstract, all-over floral, ditsy, clusters, stripes, Jacobean, nouveau influence, poppies, rendered, roses, silhouette, single colour, stylized, varietal, Victorian spring, warp print)Geometric(black and white graphic, broken line, circle and square, circular, cubist, deconstructed, diamonds, geometric floral, grid, mid-century, ornamental stripe, radiating, whiplash line)Conversational(abstract, Americana, animals, automobiles, birds, cats and dogs, clowns, feathers, figural, folkloric, fruit, great pretenders, hearts, home sweet home, hunt, insects, lace/net, marbleized, mushrooms, objects, patriotic, tapestry, Western)Constructed Pattern(applied, beaded, braid, embroidery, pierced)Brocade(all-over floral, bold, cloqué, metallic, mirror, mod, single colour, stripe, two colour, velvet)Paisley(all-over, brocade, shawl, stripe, mod)

Read more less

Book SynopsisHave you have ever felt at a disadvantage when joining in a conversation on a subject that you aren't confident about? If yes, this new book series is for you. Each book features definitions of two hundred words frequently used to describe and discuss a smart subject.200 Words to Help You Talk About Art is designed to demystify jargon-based art language and make you at ease holding a conversation on the topic. Art can be intimidating to the uninitiated, but with Ben Street's help you'll know your Dada from your diptych in no time. The book is written with digestible text enabling a quick and easy understanding of various topics while broadening your artistic vocabulary.200 Words to Help You Talk About Art is one of two new titles beginning a series of smart subjects, also including philosophy, psychology, and music.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStep into the world of Frida Kahlo: behind the portraits and the surrealist art discover the fascinating woman who has transfixed the world.Fridamania has made Frida Kahlo's image ubiquitous: she has been reborn as a Halloween costume, Barbie doll, children's book character, textile print, phone cover and the inspiration for everything from cocktails to fashion shoots. But it is more difficult to get a clear vision of this bold and brilliant, foul-mouthed, heavy-drinking, hard-smoking, husband-stealing, occasionally bisexual, often bed-bound, wheelchair-using, needy, forthright and passionate woman. Hettie Judah sets out to correct that with this superb biography of one of the most charismatic artists of the last hundred years.Follow Frida's life through tumultuous love and life-altering accidents, towards recognition in the art world from the likes of André Breton and Marcel Duchamp, to becoming the first Mexican artist held at the Louvre. Judah delves into Kahlo's experiences and how these came together to inspire the art that has been described as an uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. From an early battle with Polio, to a debilitating bus accident at 18, through love and heart ache, the life of Frida Kahlo was one of pain but a pain that bore great beauty.Hettie Judah is a contributing writer for publications including the Guardian, Vogue, The New York Times, Frieze and Art Quarterly.Lives of the Artists is a new series by Laurence King. Concise, highly readable biographies of some of the world's greatest artists written by authoritative and respected names from the world of art. Learn about the artist behind the masterpieces.Currently available: Andy Warhol and Artemisia Gentileschi

Read more less

Book SynopsisKeith Haring was a revolutionary artist, who transformed the art world during his short but impactful life. Brought to life by Simon Doonan, Creative Director for Barneys New York, this new pocket-sized biography tells his inspirational story.Revolutionary and renegade, Keith Haring was an artist for the people, creating an instantly recognisable repertoire of symbols - barking dogs, space-ships, crawling babies, clambering faceless people - which became synonymous with the volatile culture of 1980s. Like a careening, preening pinball, Keith Haring playfully slammed into all aspects of this decade - hip-hop, new-wave, graffiti, funk, art, style, gay culture - and brought them together.Haring's fanatical drive propelled him into the orbit of the most interesting people of his time: Jean Michel Basquiat envied him; Warhol, William Boroughs and Grace Jones collaborated with him. Madonna and he shared the same tastes in men. Famous at 25, dead from AIDS at 31, Keith Haring is remembered as a Pied Piper, an unpretentious communicator who appeared happiest when mentoring a gang of kids, arming them with brushes and attacking the nearest wall.A series of brief biographies of the great artists, Lives of the Artists takes as its inspiration Giorgio Vasari's five-hundred-year-old masterwork, updating it with modern takes on the lives of key artists past and present. Focusing on the life of the artist rather than examining their work, each book also includes key images illustrating the artist's life. Hardbound, but pocket-sized, the books each sport a specially-commissioned portrait of their subject on the half-jacket.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThrough a carefully curated selection of quotations, images and interviews, Artists on Art reveals what matters most to the masters. You'll discover how the giants of the different artistic genres developed their distinctive visual styles, the core ideas that underpin their practice and, most importantly, what art means to you.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPainting isn't as hard as it looks. And it's fun. Whether you're a total beginner or have been painting for years, this indispensable guide cuts through the jargon and provides clear, practical advice and tips to help develop your skills. Techniques and ideas are described and explained, inspiring you to make your own great paintings. Addressing the fundamentals of painting with watercolour, oil and acrylic, the book encourages you to explore the limitless possibilities painting has to offer.Read This if You Want to Be Great at Painting is an accessible and jargon-free guide to painting, including watercolour, oil and acrylic. The book includes more than 40 examples of great paintings by masters and contemporary artists and simple diagrams and practical activities help you practice each technique.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDo you want to improve your social-media profile? Learn how to express yourself through beautiful, artistic self-portraits with Take Your Selfie Seriously: The Advanced Selfie and Self-Portrait Handbook.Existing in today's world without photos of yourself is hardly possible, existing without great photos of yourself can be crippling. Take Your Selfie Seriously walks you through the fundamentals of taking the perfect selfie - the gear, pose, facial expression, outfit choice, story, composition, lighting and more. Posting your selfie is an opportunity for you to declare visually who you are and what you aspire to be. Take it seriously and you'll unleash a whole new world of opportunity and potential in the process.From Sorelle Amore, the well-known photographer, filmmaker, influencer and savvy business person whose #Blessed Instagram and Advanced Selfie University programmes have inspired her millions followers across the globe to up their selfie game and improve their online presence!

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn Berger was one of the most influential thinkers and writers of postwar Europe. As a novelist, he won the Booker Prize in 1972, donating half his prize money to the Black Panthers; as a TV presenter he changed the way we looked at art in Ways of Seeing; as a storyteller and political activist he defended the rights and dignity of workers, migrants and the oppressed around the world. In 1953 he wrote: "Far from dragging politics into art, art has dragged me into politics." He remained a revolutionary up to his death in January, 2017. In A Writer of Our Time, Joshua Sperling places Berger's life and works within the historical narrative of postwar Britain and beyond. The book also explores, through the work, the larger questions that vexed a generation: the purpose of art, the nature of creative freedom, the meaning of commitment. Drawing on extensive interviews, close readings and a wealth of archival sources only recently made available, the book brings the many different faces of John Berger together and shows him as one of the most vital, and brilliant, thinkers and storytellers of our time.Trade ReviewThe remarkable John Berger has gotten the thoughtful, sensitive study he deserves. Joshua Sperling is at ease in every aspect of this extraordinarily multifaceted writer's life: his art criticism, his fiction, his passionate political commitment, his immersion in the lives of Alpine villagers, and more. Lovers of Berger's work will find a rich array of background here, and those who don't yet know Berger will, I hope, be inspired to read him -- Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold’s GhostThe author of G., A Seventh Man and Ways of Seeing was of course a lifelong controversialist and revolutionary. But, ultimately, he was a man 'defined less by what he was against than by what he loved.' Occasionally critical, always passionate, Joshua Sperling's study of John Berger is as observant, rigorous, profound and as surprisingly entertaining as its subject. -- David Edgar, author of Written on the HeartAcross the 90 years of John Berger's life, he was by turns, and sometimes at the same time, an art critic and novelist, documentarian and screenwriter, farm laborer and historian, poet and polemicist...Does this mass of apparent contradictions add up to anything? The trick for any would-be biographer of John Berger is to find the unity in variety. Joshua Sperling is up to the task. -- Robert Minto * LARB *With sophistication and passion to match his subject, Sperling unfolds a chronological and thematic assessment of Berger...[A Writer of Our Time] is a lively and astute contribution to the writing on Berger, as well as to scholarship on the last 50 years of the cultural left in general. * Publishers Weekly *This engaging intellectual biography traces Berger's creative evolution, analyzes highlights from his vast output ... and situates them within his empathetic Marxism. * The New Yorker *A Writer of Our Time, switches expertly from the political to the personal and back, mapping the highs and lows of an eventful-and sometimes turbulent-life. * Sunday Guardian Live *Switches expertly from the political to the personal and back, mapping the highs and lows of an eventful-and sometimes turbulent-life. * Sunday Guardian *Excellent ... Sperling writes crisply as a Berger fan without hagiography. * Sydney Morning Herald *An excellent introduction not only to Berger but also to the aesthetic and political issues of his era. Sperling is a clear and elegant writer, and the book is very well researched. * Choice *A first-order intellectual biography of John Berger . . . Sperling explores the context of Berger's development with reference to the rapidly evolving social and political climate. * Choice, editor's picks *Sharp, moving, and immensely readable -- Bruce Robbins * The Nation *Sperling provides context for the art and political movements of Berger's years such that we now have a full context for the evolution of his ideas and style-and the remarkable variety of his sustained output. ... There is no question that Berger is one of the most influential arts and culture intellectuals of the past 50 years. -- Ron Slate * On the Seawall *An extraordinary and analytical biography of an extraordinary and influential life, A Writer of Our Time: The Life and Work of John Berger is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary Biography collections in general, and John Berger supplemental studies reading lists in particular * Midwest Book Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBringing to life the gorgeous, inspiring art of Monet, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro and their group, Impressionists takes the reader back to Nineteenth Century Paris to explore one of the most influential, and popular art movements in the history of painting. A careful selection of the period's most enduring artworks sits alongside some lesser known, but equally impressive images to convey the spirit and passion of the era.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn association with Amnesty International, with a foreword by Anish Kapoor. Against an increasingly polarizing political backdrop, The Art of Protest takes a visual journey through over a hundred years of social protest. From the early twentieth century suffragettes through to the 1960s and 1970s – considered by many the heyday of uprisings – and contemporary, social media-driven demonstrations of dissent, this illustrative history features iconic posters from world-renowned artists, including notable posters from the archives of Amnesty International, as well as more spontaneous ephemera from short-lived print collectives and street activists. With a foreword from celebrated artist and activist, Anish Kapoor, The Art of Protest showcases more than 100 posters. It covers key campaigns such as women's liberation, nuclear disarmament, the civil rights movement, climate change, AIDS activism, and Black Lives Matter, revealing artists who have pushed boundaries, given voice to the marginalised, and railed against those who seek to deny people their rights to peace and equality.Trade ReviewConsidering the current protests in Hong Kong, as well as Extinction Rebellion’s efforts in London and elsewhere, The Art of Protest feels like a particularly relevant book right now – and it’s fascinating to see how different designers have tackled the same issues over the years. * Creative Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA beautifully concise guide to the history of Italian fashion house Fendi.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn insider's view of the exquisite jewellery and accessories that have made Cartier one of the most prestigious brands in the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPunk meets Druidry in the only trade edition of Jamie Reid's art, weaving c.180 radical art images into the structure of the pagan Wheel of the Year. The art is selected and introduced by curator Stephen Ellcock with notes on the seasonal celebrations by former Chief Druid of OBOD Philip Carr-Gomm.

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Draws on a vital history of trans performance – an emerging canon that may no longer be ignored.’ – Morgan M Page, from her foreword Seven turbulent years. Five radical performances. One landmark publication. None of Us is Yet a Robot charts artist and performer Emma Frankland’s gender transition against a shifting social and political landscape, while grappling with the systematic erasure of trans history. Richly illustrated with images from the performances and designed in close collaboration with the author, the book is a new experience in itself as well as a vital document of Emma's groundbreaking work in theatre. Featuring introductions from foremost theatre practitioners, including Maddy Costa and Travis Alabanza, this collection of work is an evocative exploration of a trans experience in twenty-first century Britain.Trade Review‘Emma Frankland’s euphoric Rituals for Change is a near-perfect twinning of content and form. A hymn to mutability, an earthy, messy sacrament to constant evolution and alteration, it charts her gender transition in a series of gnomic, interlocking actions.’ * * * * * The Stage * The Stage *‘[Rituals for Change] is a private, beautiful, evocative piece of theatre. Tender, brave, and brilliant... It is storytelling at its simplest and bravest.’ British Theatre Guide * British Theatre Guide *'A wonderful, warm contemplation on change.' Lyn Gardner, The Guardian -- Lyn Gardner * The Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of Frank Lloyd Wright’s life is no less astounding than his greatest architectural works. He enmeshed himself eagerly in myth and hearsay, and revelled in the extravagance of his creative persona. Throughout his long career, Wright strongly resisted the suggestion that his accomplishments owed anything to earthly influences. As much as he wanted his achievements to be recognised, he wanted them to be unaccountable – but they are not. This book reveals for the first time how his unbreakable self-belief and startling creative defiance both originated in the liberal religious and philosophical attitudes woven into his personality during his childhood – deliberately so by his mother and by his many aunts and uncles, to honour the fierce Welsh radicalism of their ancestors.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Family Tree: Significant Ancestors of Frank Lloyd Wright Timeline Introduction Part 1 The Church in the Wilderness Chapter 1 A Rural Enlightenment Chapter 2 Bards of Liberty Chapter 3 Remittance Part 2 Lloyd Jones Chapter 4 Lessons in the Land of the Free Chapter 5 The Valley Chapter 6 Anna had Chosen an Englishman Chapter 7 A Child’s Garden Chapter 8 The Book of Creation Part 3 Lloyd Wright Chapter 9 The Grammar of Ornament Chapter 10 Simplicity and Repose Chapter 11 Spoiled First by Birth Chapter 12 Art and Craft of the Machine Chapter 13 The Protestant Chapter 14 The Shape-Shifter Chapter 15 The Genius Chapter 16 The Unitarian Chapter 17 The Welshman Bibliography Image Accreditation

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe kids (and canines) of Peanuts know a thing or two about how tough life can be. But with a philosophical approach to the trials and tribulations of growing up - from not being able to talk to the girl you like, to having an idiot brother who won't take your flawless advice - they're never short of the small comforts, and the great wisdom, that can help us get by.Trade Review[Charles M. Schultz is] possibly the greatest cartoonist who ever lived * * Guardian * *Forget Wittgenstein and Sartre, the great 20th century philosopher was Snoopy * * Daily Mail * *I grew up with Peanuts. But I never outgrew it . . . For decades, it was our own daily security blanket. That's what makes Peanuts an American treasure -- PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMANo comic strip before Peanuts ever felt like it was talking to me. I always felt like I knew Charlie Brown and all the other characters and I understood them in a way that I never did with any other strip -- WHOOPI GOLDBERGCharles Schulz's brilliant, angst-ridden, truly funny, fifty-year-long masterpiece of joy and heartbreak -- MATT GROENINGCharles Schulz was, plain and simple, a great artist and philosopher . . . But most importantly, he teaches all ages that if you can learn to laugh at the things that cause you the most pain you will be the strongest of all. Peanuts: a real way of life -- JOHN WATERSWhat a brilliant, truly modern and totally weird idea it was to create a comic strip about a chronically depressed child . . . * * Time * *Charles Schulz was an American treasure - an artist, philosopher, and keen observer of human life -- BILL CLINTONThe world of Peanuts is a microcosm, a little human comedy for the innocent reader and for the sophisticated -- UMBERTO ECOOne can scarcely overstate the importance of Peanuts to the comics, or overstate its influence on all of us who have followed -- BILL WATERSON, author of CALVIN & HOBBES

Read more less

Book SynopsisCLOSE YOUR EYESI invite you to imagine a plan for a new and better society where everything is very coherent and makes a lot of sense and nothing is confusing or awfulOPEN YOUR EYESNo need to imagine. Here is the plan. The plan is illustrated. The plan is quite complicated. But not too complicated. I think you will be thrilled by it. I am certain you will be thrilled by it.No need to read massive volumes or use the internetJUST READ THISONLY THISTrade ReviewMaster of all things darkly comic . . . An excellent new book [Fully Coherent Plan] features 254 new illustrations, all drawn in his distinctive thick black pen on stark white paper, the naivety of the image offset by the scabrous, surreal or darkly comic text * * Observer * *For all the uneasy peculiarity of the drawings, they often capture something fundamental about the human condition . . . His mordant humour has never felt more attuned to the age . . . His world is known to us now. But he continues to invert power structures, prick egos and salute the everyday magnificently -- Leaf Arbuthnot * * Times Literary Supplement * *Concerned about the breakdown of society? Fear not: David Shrigley has a plan . . . Shrigley points politely towards the ridiculous and arbitrary nature of the societal strictures by which we all abide and from which he seems so blissfully free * * Esquire * *One of the Turner Prize nominee's greatest abilities as an artist is to create resoundingly funny work while also offering wry political commentary, in a fashion that is so thoroughly bizarre that it never fails to surprise . . . Shrigley's world has something to offer everyone * * Elephant * *David Shrigley is probably the funniest gallery-type artist who ever lived -- DAVE EGGERSShrigley's darkly funny illustrations reflect our surreal and disquieting times * * The Big Issue * *One of the cleverest, funniest conceptual artists . . . Genius * * Guardian * *PRAISE FOR DAVID SHRIGLEY: The best gift book, for a crazy person you really, really like * * New York Times * *With a casual gesture Shrigley points to that hideous shape whose name I've never known - and then he names it. And the name is profoundly, embarrassingly familiar. I'm laughing while frantically searching for a pen, so desperate to capture the feeling he has unearthed in me -- MIRANDA JULYOn the kink of his line Shrigley can shift effortlessly from pathos to paranoia. And his work is funny - very funny; his timing devastatingly effective -- WILL SELF

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third edition of a best-selling book on the Port Sunlight Village, with a new chapter on the Lady Lever Art Gallery, further information on key individuals and an increase in the number of illustrations. The model industrial village of Port Sunlight was founded by the soap manufacturer W. H. Lever (later Lord Leverhulme) in 1888 for the factory workers of the firm of Lever Brothers. The village was acclaimed from the first as exemplifying the best in English town planning and house design, and greatly influenced subsequent industrial villages such as the later parts of Bournville, and the garden city movement more generally. This guide considers the village in its historical context, with particular emphasis on the planning and architectural aspects. It explains the social and visual significance of Port Sunlight and the reasons for its being unique in the history of town planning, as well as looking at the way its development was influenced by changing fashions in urban design. The relevance of Lever’s own character and interests – his social conscience, his love of art and beauty and his architectural enthusiasms – are also examined. Two tours, one for pedestrians and one for car drivers, which include and describe the most significant buildings of the village, are an additional feature of the guide.Table of Contents Preface to the 1988 Edition Preface to the 2005 Edition Foreward 1 The Founder 2 Background 3 Planning and Development 4 Housing and Architectural Character 5 Public Buildings 6 Fame and Influence Tours of the Village Walk: Heritage Centre to Lady Lever Art Gallery Drive: Lady Lever Art Gallery to Heritage Centre Appendix 1: Demolished Buildings Appendix 2: Notes on Architects Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisHath thou seen thy Classic Art Memes?This hilarious book is full of laugh-out-loud classic art memes to brighten your day. From renaissance to baroque, rococo to romantics historical art is made hysterical with amusing modern wit.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gorgeous new edition with the cover printed on silver. Tiffany was highly skilled in jewellery design, ceramics, enamels, and metalwork but he is best known for his beautiful stained-glass designs. Using opalescent glass in a variety of colours and textures, he created a stunning range of jewel-like Art Nouveau works, many of them presented here in this luxurious volume.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPart of a series of exciting and luxurious Flame Tree Notebooks. Combining high-quality production with magnificent fine art, the covers are printed on foil in five colours, embossed then foil stamped. And they're powerfully practical: a pocket at the back for receipts and scraps and two bookmarks. These are perfect for personal use and make a dazzling gift. This example is based on Claude Monet's Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.‘All of a sudden,’ Monet would one day recall, ‘I had the revelation of the enchantment of my pond. I took up my palette…’ And the rest is art-history. Again and again – well over 200 times, and often working on an enormous scale – Claude Monet would return to water lilies as his subject.

Read more less

Book Synopsis____________As well as being an incredible stage performer, a brilliant writer and a talented painter, Derren Brown is also a fantastic street photographer. Here, for the first time, is a selection of his work. As he writes of his passion:'Street photography is a fitting refuge for those who look at life from a distance. It both sanctifies our remoteness (by offering the standpoint of the observer) and challenges it, insisting we approach with a spritely curiosity. It offers a safe route back into the world: the camera is an entry ticket to daunting social situations and extraordinary environments where we might otherwise feel entirely out of place. Suddenly we have a role: a reason to be present. And for those of us smitten by its appeal, it provides a means of fortifying and forgetting ourselves, while extending out into the world with a controlled compassion.'Trade ReviewWhen he’s not mesmerising audiences on stage and TV, illusionist Derren Brown prefers a different trick: disappearing into a crowd with his camera. His pictures are beautiful, if understated. In Meet the People with Love, he reveals the magic of taking pictures without being spotted. * FT *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on the landmark Radio 4 series, this beautifully illustrated modern history of the connections between science and art offers a new perspective on what that relationship has contributed to the world around us. __________ Throughout history, artists and scientists have been driven by curiosity and the desire to experiment. Both have wanted to make sense of the world around them, often to change it, sometimes working closely together, certainly taking inspiration from each other's disciplines. The relationship between the two has traditionally been perceived as one of love and hate, fascination and revulsion, symbiotic but antagonistic. But art is crucial to helping us understand our science legacy and science is well served by applying an artistic lens. How exactly has the ingenuity of science and technology been incorporated into artistic expression? And how has creative practice, in turn, stimulated innovation and technological change?The Art of Innovation is a history of the past 250 years viewed through the disciplines of art and science. Through fascinating stories that explore the sometimes unexpected relationships between famous artworks and significant scientific and technological objects - from Constable's cloudscapes and the chemist who first measured changes in air pressure, to the introduction of photography and the representation of natural history in print - it offers a new way of seeing, studying and interpreting the extraordinary world around us.Trade ReviewA timely and compelling history of the springs of thought. * Melvyn Bragg *A wonderful insight into the way art and science can be interwoven. * Cornelia Parker *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, comes Vol.3 of the hilarious never-before-seen comics based on the hit Netflix animated show Disenchantment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistory is a construction. What happens when we bring stories consigned to the margins up to the light? How does that complicate our certainties about who we are, as individuals, as nations, as human beings? As in her fiction, the essays in Out of the Sun demonstrate Esi Edugyan's commitment to seeking out the stories of Black lives that history has failed to record. In five wide-ranging essays, written with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in the background, Edugyan reflects on her own identity and experiences. She delves into the history of Western Art and the truths about Black lives that it fails to reveal, and the ways contemporary Black artists are reclaiming and reimagining those lives. She explores and celebrates the legacy of Afrofuturism, the complex and problematic practice of racial passing, the place of ghosts and haunting in the imagination, and the fascinating relationship between Africa and Asia dating back to the 6th Century. With calm, piercing intelligence, Edugyan asks difficult questions about how we reckon with the past and imagine the future.Trade ReviewStunning ... An enlightening, multifaceted and thoroughly engrossing look at what blackness means and has meant through the centuries * Irish Times *In its breadth, beauty and candour, this is a beguiling collection. And if, after reading it you leave with more questions than you started - which might be a complaint in a lesser book - then I suspect it has achieved its aim -- Kuba Shand-Baptiste * Guardian *A remarkable collection of essays on representation, race, identity and history. Edugyan must now be counted as one of the finest essayists of her generation, as well as one of the best novelists -- Matthew D'AnconaPraise for Esi Edugyan: Wondrous ... gripping ... vivid and captivating * Economist *Magnificent and strikingly visual prose * Financial Times *Exquisite * New York Magazine *Edugyan is a magical writer * Washington Post *A towering achievement . . . Edugyan is one of our sharpest and deepest writers * Entertainment Weekly *Strong, beautiful and beguiling * Observer *Poignant and political, Edugyan enjoys taking her readers where they are least expecting to go . . . shines a light on the present as well as the past. * Irish Independent *A pacey yet thoughtful exploration of freedom, and our moral compulsion to act * Spectator *A remarkable collection of essays on representation, race, identity and history. Not surprisingly, Out of the Sun is rich in stories, memory and the warmth of human experience ... gripping ... There are insights, ironies and nuances on every page: Edugyan must now be counted as one of the finest essayists of her generation, as well as one of the best novelists -- Matthew D'Ancona

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first major study to comprehensively analyze the art and architecture of the archdiocese of Bari and Canosa during the Byzantine period and the upheaval of the Norman conquest. The book places Bari and Canosa in a Mediterranean context, arguing that international connections with the eastern Mediterranean were a continuous thread that shaped art and architecture throughout the Byzantine and Norman eras. Clare Vernon has examined a wide variety of media, including architecture, sculpture, metalwork, manuscripts, epigraphy and luxury portable objects, as well as patronage, to illustrate how cross-cultural encounters, the first crusade, slavery and continuities and disruptions in the relationship with Constantinople, shaped the visual culture of the archdiocese. From Byzantine to Norman Italy will appeal to students and scholars of Byzantine art, the medieval Mediterranean and the Italo-Norman world.Trade ReviewThis is a fascinating look at the important mid-sized port city of Bari during the pivotal centuries of the transition from Byzantine to Norman authority in the region. Vernon deftly shows us that Bari was a town attentive to its wide-ranging connections with important sites in both the contemporary and ancient Mediterranean world. Exploring these connections through the lens of Bari’s buildings and monuments, Vernon brings our focus to the town’s efforts to demonstrate its economic prowess and its participation in the papal reform movement, crusading, and cutting-edge artistic developments. -- Sarah Davis-Secord, Associate Professor of History * University of New Mexico, USA *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIconoclasm, Identity Politics and the Erasure of History surveys the origins, uses and manifestations of iconoclasm in history, art and public culture. It examines the various causes and uses of image/property defacement as a tool of political, national, religious and artistic process. This is one of the first books to examine the outbreak of iconoclasm in Europe and North America in the summer of 2020 in the context of previous outbreaks, and it examines the implications of iconoclasm as a form of control, censorship and expression.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBelfast to Derry is one of the world’s greatest road trips. Travelling around the spectacular Causeway Coast is ranked among the world’s five greatest road trips. This book features a selection of the stunning sights and places along the causeway coast. From the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge to the Giant’s Causeway, from the Bushmills Distillery to the Dunluce Castle. This beautiful and engaging book is filled with photographs of famous sites as well as hidden gems.Trade Reviewstunning sights and places along the causeway coast … beautiful and engaging book * Ireland's Own Magazine *lovely book … stunning … ideal travelling companion or coffee table book * Campervan Tales *a useful handbook for anyone exploring the Belfast to Derry coast and hinterland … there is much to learn even for those familiar with the route * Travel Extra Magazine *

Read more less