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David Hockney was recently reported to be taking a sideswipe at Damien Hirst by suggesting that using assistants to complete his works was “…a little insulting to craftsmen”. So – 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 what is the difference between a work of art and a work of craft? The Art of Not Making is the first book to tackle these questions head on, exploring the concepts of authorship, artistic originality, skill, craftsmanship and the creative act. When I first received it I did think – This will be a bore; all artefacts and no proper art. How wrong can you get. This book is a gem. It examines the extraordinary levels of skill and ingenuity it takes to produce works of art that are beautifully designed objects. With the growing level of creative and technical ambition, it is little wonder that so many artists are turning to others to help
them realise their art. Petry’s wonderful book illustrates hundreds of artists – Louise Bourgeois, Mona Hatoum, Mark Wallinger, Tony Cragg, Grayson Perry for example – and most of the images are gloriously revealing. But it is the way in which the arguments for creative alliance are presented that really grab the attention. Petry gives insights into the history of these partnerships, citing works from Duchamp and before, giving a context to the growing global collaborations of artists and artisans. At last, art is on the move. A highly recommended, thoroughly enjoyable, informative read. Richard Storey
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Ravilious in Pictures: A Travelling Artist James Russell
Linda McCartney: Life in Photographs Alison Castle (Ed)
Until Further Notice, I Am Alive Tom Lubbock
Foyles at Cabot Circus
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A Yorkshire Sketchbook David Hockney
da Vinci 2 Leonardo Frank Zollner da Vinci: 3 Leonardo Painter at the Court of Milan (National Gallery London)
Luke Syson, Larry Keith Antonio Mazzotta Minna Moore Ede
One Hundred 4 Hiroshige: Famous Views of Edo
// BOOK The Art of Not Making: The New Artist / Artisan Relationship Michael Petry 208pp: Thames & Hudson, 2012 ISBN 978 0 500 290 262
Melanie Trede Lorenz Bichler
5 Japan: Season by Season Sandrine Bailly
Blackadder 6 Elizabeth Phil Long Perry 7 Grayson Jacky Klein
8 Courtney Watson
M.C. Escher Pop-Ups
48pp: The Mainstone Press, 2012 ISBN 978 0 955 277 788
135pp: Taschen, 2011 ISBN 978 3 836 527 286
138pp: Granta Books, 2012 ISBN 978 1 847 085 313
McCarthy
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Gustav Klimt: Art Nouveau Visionary Eva di Stefano
and the Ballet: 10 Degas Picturing Movement Richard Kendall Jill DeVonyar
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RWA magazine Spring 2012
Beautiful reproductions of Ravilious’s watercolour landscapes of the South Downs and beyond, insightful, informative and readable essays all help make a vivid portrait of this much loved artist. The twenty-two watercolours in this volume provide a uniquely compelling and idiosyncratic portrait of Britain in the years before World War II. The book will be launched at the RWA on March 10 and James Russell will be giving an illustrated talk on Ravilious and his work, also at the RWA. (See Diary pages for full details.) RS
This coffee-table behemoth is one for the aficionado. As leading photographer of the 60s music scene, McCartney captured on film many of rock’s most important musicians. This loving retrospective, edited in close collaboration with the McCartney family and Annie Liebowitz, covers a life in photographs. Her work, especially within the family group, shows a warmth, love and empathy which shines through every image. This will become a collectors’ item; snap one up while you can afford it. RS
Tom Lubbock, chief art critic of The Independent who died last year, wrote reviews that were often more entertaining than the shows themselves. Iconoclastic, thoughtful and provocative, he made the most difficult art accessible to the layman. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, he wrote this remarkable record of his final months, examining the question: how to live with Death in sight. Highly recommended. RS