Published to accompany the inaugural exhibition at Haunch of Venison New York, Abstract Expressionism: A World Elsewhere presents a unique opportunity to consider Abstract Expressionism's distinctiveness and diversity afresh in the twenty-first century. This beautifully printed clothbound volume features paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper by such iconic figures as Willem de Kooning, Sam Francis, Philip Guston, Franz Kline, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell, Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Ad Reinhardt, Mark Rothko, David Smith and Clyfford Still. An illuminating essay by curator David Anfam also redresses a balance by including others sometimes considered more peripheral to or even outside of the movement--among them, William Baziotes, Harry Callahan, Arshile Gorky, Adolph Gottlieb, Barbara Morgan, Richard Pousette-Dart and Charles Seliger. A very nice selection of documentary images adds extra depth to the experience of this already very satisfying volume.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Art book of the year. -- The Guardian, 27 December 1990
Highly recommended for high school and college libraries. -- School Arts Journal, February 1993 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Highly recommended for high school and college libraries. -- School Arts Journal, February 1993 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Review,
By "frank_dux" (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Abstract Expressionism (World of Art) (Paperback)
This book covers the careers of some of the leaders in the Abstract Expressionism movement(post WW2), but keeps the context of the movement by showing 169 illustrations(29 color) by a wide variety of pertinent artists and pieces.The down side to this book is the amount of black and white pictures in relation to the colour pictures. In a field of art that that is reliant on colour, this is a serious drawback to the longevity of this book as anything more than a really good resource.
47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sorely disappointed,
By
This review is from: Abstract Expressionism (World of Art) (Paperback)
This book typifies an endemic problem in art history literature: there are a great many scholars with an encyclopaedic knowledge of their subject but who lack the pedagogic and technical skills needed to communicate it in written format. Mr. Anfam is obviously an authority on this most fascinating of art genres, but he is an absolutely terrible writer. I am an ardent fan of abstract expressionism but found the book difficult to finish because it was written so awkwardly. A second complaint regards not just this book but this entire series. The dearth of color plates is understandalbe in so inexpensive a book, but it is especially regrettable for a book covering so dynamic a subject matter. In summary, I would look elsewhere for an introduction to this genre: Mr. Anfam's writing does not do the subject justice.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ideal intro to 20th century American art,
By jroebuck (london) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Abstract Expressionism (World of Art) (Paperback)
David Anfam's Abstract Expressionism is as good an introduction to 20th century American art as you'll find anywhere. Whether you're a novice or an expert (I'm sort of inbetween) I think you're bound to find this book indispensable. Despite its concise length Abstract Expressionism manages to cover the subject in depth as well as breadth. Besides offering sharp insights into the classic work of Pollock, Newman, de Kooning etc more neglected artists, such as Lee Krasner and the photographer Aaron Siskind, are brought into the fold. The description of the pre-war origins of the New York School makes fascinating reading and helps you appreciate the high-point of Abstract Expressonism. There's not a single superfluous sentence in the book. That's not surpising as Anfam really knows his subject - it turns out he's also the author of the definitive work on Rothko, the brillliant Rothko Catalogue Raisonée. This book has me itching to get into the gallery and see the work - and for an art book you can't say better than that. It's just a shame it's a 3,000 mile trip from London to MoMA - tate modern just won't do!
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