Customer Reviews

American Abstract and Figurative Expressionism: Style is Timely Art is Timeless

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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.

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.