Customer Reviews

American Vernacular: New Discoveries in Folk, Self-Taught, and Outsider Sculptures

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This is an awesome book for the person interested in a fresh approach to the standard canon of traditional folk art. Although this features some of the old standbys like decoys and weathervanes, the true spirit of this book, and a reflection of the aesthetic sensibilities of its authors, Roger Ricco and Frank Maresca, is in the celebration of the variety of sculptural forms that occur in folk, outsider and self-taught art. The writing is a bit dry and a little academic, but the real reason to get this book is for the great photographs that come at you page after page. For any one interested in art and how it can occur in the most interesting ways, this is an incredible reference book that you must have. One other note: this book is a sort of continuation of an earlier book by Ricco/Maresca titled "American Primitive" that is, sadly, out-of-print.

This is a stunning book! A large scale, heavy, coffee table book which is visually exciting.

I have a number of other Folk art/Outsider Art books. They are all fairly similar but this one contains a rich variety of items and many things that were new to me. It is one of the best I have seen.

A quirky mixture of humorous, beautiful, powerful and even some sinister examples of this genre.

I gave a second copy as a gift and the recipient is equally enthralled by it. I would highly recommend this book.