American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless [Hardcover]

Marika Herskovic (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967799422 | ISBN-13: 978-0967799421 | Publication Date: June 25, 2009 | Edition: First

This book features 58 painters and sculptors. Each of these artists have 2 works shown (full page) one abstract and one figurative work and an artist's statement. There is also a Bio, and a listing of solo exhibitions and group exhibitions for each of these artists. This 253 page book was sumptuously printed in Germany and has a 12 x 9 1/2 inch format. Hardcover, library binding with index.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This survey is a follow up to the earlier volumes: New York School Abstract Expressionists: Artists Choice by Artists; and American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s An Illustrated Survey. Fifty eight American painters and sculptors of the post-World War II era, are represented, each by one abstract and one figurative work. The book intends to show that the most engaged mainstream creative work in New York and across the USA was not restricted to non-representational or representational expressionism but rather to the creative power of the individual expressionist artist. The artists are represented in alphabetical order. The usual convention of critical analysis is replaced by statements written by the artists themselves. The statements may serve to enlighten the readers as to the artists relation to their creative process. The biographical information for each artist is presented in a standardized, uniform fashion. It is critical that a reference book of this sort would provide excellent, large format reproductions. The books were printed in Germany, --CHOICE, January, 2010. Current reviews for Academic Libraries

As a dealer, I have heard the following quotes from other dealers; "It has to be completely abstract!" "I will not buy Abstract Expressionism after 1964!" These "purists" are denying collectors as well as themselves, some great art. Dealers take note - There is so much more than the bag you put yourself in!! Figurative Art and Contemporary Art are two facets not left out of this fine book. Marika Herskovic has done it again (in this third volume)with her impeccable research and exquisite editing. There are some Inspirational Writings by Wassily Kandinsky which gets the reader rolling and thinking about Art. This book features an example of Abstract Expressionism as well as an example of Figurative Expressionism by each of the 58 artists. This volume also has the superbly valuable artist's statements as was done in the other two books. Each artist has a Bio as well as Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions. Have you heard of Rosemarie Beck, William Brice, Robert Nathans, James Kelly, Joan Savo, and Jane Wilson? They are talents that are completely new to me. The artist Michael West once stated, "Refreshing as a cool glass of water". She was referring to the artwork of Hans Richter, but I would ditto that regarding the concept of this book. The haunting portrait of an Irish Girl by Nicolas Carone stays with me. It is quite beautiful. Nora Speyer's frightening Death and the Maiden with its textural magnificence is another important work. Let us not forget the many artists who specialized in Figurative work who had a terribly hard time in the Abstract Expressionit period. Their work was overshadowed. Karl Zerbe's experimental Expressionistic paintings, always a favorite of mine, closes the book. I believe he was one such artist. Hopefully this book can lay to rest the idea that the Abstract Expressionist artists did abstract work because they could not draw well! American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless could have had more inclusions. However, all great artists know when to stop, and this goes for the editor too. I truly wait for the next volume which I am sure will also be groundbreaking. --by Stuart Friedman Amazon user

About the Author

Marika Herskovic, PhD is a scientist by training. She received her MSc and PhD from the Graduate School of Arts and Science of New York University, New York City. She produced 27 videos on the art and lives of the artists of the New York School. These videos, repeatedly shown on cable TV, were listed in Art on Screen, A joint venture of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Trust. She hosted numerous video taped artist seminars and spent the past two decades documenting the New York Painting and Sculpture Annuals, the participating artists and their art. She was the editor of the books titled, New York School Abstract Expressionists: Artists Choice by Artists, Published by New York School Press, 2000. Printed by Cantz in Germany; American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s: An Illustrated Survey, Published by New York School Press, 2003. Printed by Cantz in Germany;

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: New York School Press, Limited; First edition (June 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967799422
• ISBN-13: 978-0967799421
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Figurative Art and its Place in Abstract Expressionism, June 20, 2009

By 

Stuart Friedman "NY School Art Gallery.com" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless (Hardcover)

As a dealer, I have heard the following quotes from other dealers; "It has to be completely abstract!" "I will not buy Abstract Expressionism after 1964!" These "purists" are denying collectors as well as themselves, some great art. Dealers take note - There is so much more than the bag you put yourself in!! Figurative Art and Contemporary Art are two facets not left out of this fine book. Marika Herskovic has done it again (in this third volume)with her impeccable research and exquisite editing. There are some Inspirational Writings by Wassily Kandinsky which gets the reader rolling and thinking about Art. This book features an example of Abstract Expressionism as well as an example of Figurative Expressionism by each of the 58 artists. This volume also has the superbly valuable artist's statements as was done in the other two books. Each artist has a Bio as well as Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions. Have you heard of Rosemarie Beck, William Brice, Robert Nathans, James Kelly, Joan Savo, and Jane Wilson? They are talents that are completely new to me. The artist Michael West once stated, "Refreshing as a cool glass of water". She was referring to the artwork of Hans Richter, but I would ditto that regarding the concept of this book. The haunting portrait of an Irish Girl by Nicolas Carone stays with me. It is quite beautiful. Nora Speyer's frightening Death and the Maiden with its textural magnificence is another important work. Let us not forget the many artists who specialized in Figurative work who had a terribly hard time in the Abstract Expressionit period. Their work was overshadowed. Karl Zerbe's experimental Expressionistic paintings, always a favorite of mine, closes the book. I believe he was one such artist. Hopefully this book can lay to rest the idea that the Abstract Expressionist artists did abstract work because they could not draw well! American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless could have had more inclusions. However, all great artists know when to stop, and this goes for the editor too. I truly wait for the next volume which I am sure will also be groundbreaking.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended art book Reviewed in 2010 jan CHOICE., January 16, 2010

By 

Thomas Herskovic MD - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless (Hardcover)

This review was written by M. Nilsen, Indiana University South Bend published for 2010 jan CHOICE.
Third in a series published by the New York School Press (see also American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s, and New York School Abstract Expressionists, both ed. by Herskovic), this volume features paintings and sculptures by 58 post-WW II artists. The four-page section for each artist includes a biography, statement by the artist, and two full-page reproductions--one figurative and one abstract work. Spanning the 1950s-90s, the works highlight the diversity of the art of these decades, when critical attention focused on a small group of nonrepresentational artists. Major figures such as De Kooning, Guston, and Pollock are included. The artists' biographies mention education and teaching briefly, in order to focus on solo and group exhibitions. This information should enable readers interested in further research to track down catalogues and reviews. The alphabetical organization and index make this handsome volume easy to consult. This survey of interesting, capable artists brings to the fore work that has not been fully recognized and that is beginning to attract scholarly attention. The volume also offers insights into the relationship between abstract expressionism and expressionist figurative painting. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Libraries supporting both studio and art history programs at the lower undergraduate level and above; general readers. Written by M. Nilsen, Indiana University South Bend published for 2010 jan CHOICE.