April 2023 MBR The Art Shelf

The Art Shelf

Ateliers of Europe
John Whelan, author
Oskar Proctor, photographer
Prestel Publishing
www.prestel.com
9783791388175, $60.00, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ateliers-Europe-Atlas-Decorative-Workshops/dp/3791388177

Synopsis: An atelier is the private workshop or studio of a professional artist in the fine or decorative arts or an architect, where a principal master and a number of assistants, students, and apprentices can work together producing fine art or visual art released under the master's name or supervision. (Wikipedia)

Beginning in the Renaissance, ateliers were established as places for European artists to work and teach their crafts. Centuries later most of these spaces have disappeared, but a select few continue to produce some of the world's most celebrated and sought-after objects in the areas of crystal, ceramics, wrought iron, fabric, bookbinding, mosaic, wood paneling, and more.

John Whelan and Oskar Proctor traveled throughout Europe to document these important spaces, both to celebrate them and to preserve their disappearing ideals. Ranging from the well- known to the obscure, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshops" takes readers inside dozens of ateliers from Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Sumptuous double-page spreads feature alluring photography, and fascinating background texts tell their stories.

By shining a light on their collective value as well as their individual expertise, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshops " offers both a historic evaluation of how ateliers have been shaped by modern forces -- and is also a clarion call appealing for their preservation.

Critique: A beautiful compendium of informative captioned full page, full color photographs, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshops" is an impressive coffee-table style (9.81 x 0.97 x 11.31 inches, 4.19 pounds) volume that will hold a very special appeal to students and fans of the decorative arts produced in workshops of the past and present. This deluxe edition of "Ateliers of Europe" is a very special and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library European Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Residing in Venice, Italy, John Whelan is a specialist in heritage design and creative direction. His heritage projects include a revival of la brasserie francaise, France's most iconic culinary export, and his clients include brands such as Cire Trudon, the oldest candlemaker in France. His work has been profiled by Architectural Digest, and Vanity Fair. (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/designer-john-whelan-restores-frances-classic-brasseries-to-their-former-glory)< br>
Editorial Note #2: Oskar Proctor (http://oskarproctor.com) is a photographer specializing in still life and interior imagery. He has worked with numerous magazines, museums, designers, artists and publishers, including two books by Viktor Wynd published by Prestel. He lives in Kent, England.

Rediscovering Black Portraiture
Peter Brathwaite
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1682
www.getty.edu/publications
9781606068168, $40.00, HC, 168pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rediscovering-Black-Portraiture-Peter-Brathwaite/dp/1606068164

Synopsis: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Brathwaite has thoughtfully researched and reimagined more than one hundred artworks featuring portraits of Black sitters -- all posted to social media with the caption "Rediscovering #blackportraiture through #gettymuseumchallenge."

"Rediscovering Black Portraiture" collects and showcases more than fifty of Brathwaite's most intriguing re-creations. Introduced by the author and framed by contributions from experts in art history and visual culture, this fascinating book offers a nuanced look at the complexities and challenges of building identity within the African diaspora and how such forces have informed Black portraits over time.

The artworks featured include The Adoration of the Magi by Georges Trubert, Portrait of an Unknown Man by Jan Mostaert, Rice n Peas by Sonia Boyce, Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, and many more. "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" also invites readers behind the scenes, offering a glimpse of the elegant artifice of Brathwaite's props, setup, and process.

An urgent and compelling exploration of embodiment, representation, and agency, "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" serves to remind us that Black subjects have been portrayed in art for nearly a millennium and that their stories demand to be told.

Critique: With each full color image being accompanied with succinctly captioned information, "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" is a delight to browse through and instructively thought-provoking for readers with an interest in Black Pop Culture Artwork and Photography. Of special note are the informative contributions of Cheryl Finley, Temi Odumosu, and Mark Sealy."Rediscovering Black Portraiture" is a unique and highly prized addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Art/Photography portraiture collections.

Editorial Note #1 An exhibition of Brathwaite's re-creations is on view at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery in Bristol, UK from April 14 to July 23, 2023.

Editorial Note #2: Peter Brathwaite (https://www.peterbrathwaitebaritone.com) is an acclaimed baritone who performs in operas and concerts throughout Europe. He is a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and has been shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award.

Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World
Editorial Staff
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754257, $16.95, HC, 96pp

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Cat-Fine-Felines-World/dp/1922754250

Synopsis: Cats have been charming us with their indifference and serving as artistic inspiration for as long as we have been sketching on canvas. With the publication of "Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World", the editorial staff of Smith Street Books offers a compendium artwork featuring cats of the past as they peer out from paintings and sketches, frescoes and prints across art history.

"Art Cat" is a collection of these painted felines, featuring works from artists across the ages and continents. Japanese prints and German oils, American sketches and Italian murals are all included. The work spans eras and styles, but as different as these cats are, one thing shines through: that we have been obsessed with cats for far longer than the Internet.

Critique: A 'must' for anyone with a feline companion of their own, "Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World" is a simply delightful and fascinating browse from beginning to end, and an unreservedly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Animal Art and Art History collections.

Kawaii Doggies
Olive Yong
Rock Point
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760379851, $21.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kawaii-Doggies-Learn-Adorable-Doodle/dp/0760379858

Synopsis: With the publication of "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory", artist and illustrator Olive Yong shows how to draw all kinds of cute dogs doing all sorts of silly things through 75 step-by-step tutorials.

Whether you are "team dog" or "team cat", dogs have idiosyncrasies that we all find entertaining! In "Kawaii Doggies" is the follow-up and perfect companion to "Kawaii Kitties: Learn How to Draw 75 Cats in All Their Glory " (9781631067396, $21.99, PB, 144pp).

Popular Instagram artist Olive Yong perfectly captures these moments, including playing, sleeping, eating, digging, chasing their tails, being good buddies, wearing cute costumes, and more, along with how to draw your favorite breeds and puppies.

In addition to the easy-to-follow tutorials, Olive shares: An introduction to the kawaii art aesthetic; Suggestions for drawing tools; Tips and tricks for drawing and coloring your dogs; A facial expression directory; Coloring pages swarming with pups for you to decorate.

Critique: Fun, inspiring, and thoroughly 'user friendly' for aspiring artists and illustrators in both organization and presentation, "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory" is a perfect DIY instructional guide. It should be noted for personal use that "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Olive Yong is a self-taught artist from Malaysia and the creator of the popular Instagram @bichi.mao. Drawing has always been her passion, and she is focusing on building the bichi.mao brand. Olive enjoys creating funny and relatable short comics, quotation series, animations, and illustrations about cats. Part of the charm of her artwork is in its simplicity, making learning to draw in her style easy and fun for all ages.

Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals
Heinke Nied
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760383278, $14.99, PB, 96pp

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Reverse-Watercolor-creativity-delightful/dp/0760383278

Synopsis: :Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heinke Nied (a one-line artist and illustrator who considers it her mission to make art accessible to everyone through simple instruction and approachable one-line drawings) offers helpful and illustrated instructions that will enable even the most novice of beginning watercoloring artists draw their own lines over her artwork. It's satisfying, relaxing, and fun -- and packed from cover to cover with inspiring artwork featuring flowers, plants, abstract designs, and more.

Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals features: Sturdy paper and one-sided pages to cut out and display; Pen and watercolor tips and techniques; Short primers on tools and color theory; Patterns, tracings, and designs that you may want to use in your own artwork within the book.

Simply find relaxation and creative inspiration as you draw over the watercolor artwork with the drawing tool of your choice, or cut out the pages and use them as gifts, home decor, cards for loved ones, and more. With colorful watercolor designs to spark your creativity, your own creations will flow with ease and joy.

Critique: Offering a complete course of step-by-step instruction in the use of watercolor as a medium, "Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Offering hours of DIY watercolor painting fun, "Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heinke Nied is especially recommended for personal and professional 'how- to' instructional painting collections and as a supplemental art curriculum studies textbook on the subject of watercolor designs.

Editorial Note: Heinke Nied (www.silberstolz.de) is a one-line artist, an illustrator, an author, and a lecturer. Since 2017, she has taught courses and workshops on writing, drawing, and painting. In 2020, she discovered her great passion of one-line art. Since then, she draws everything with one continuous line and especially likes to combine her motifs with watercolor or lettering. Heinke considers it her mission to make this art form accessible to all people through simple instructions. She also creates digital illustrations for clients, as well as portraits using digital and watercolor tools. Heinke is also the author of "15-Minute Drawing: One-Line Drawing" (Walter Foster Publishing).

Matthew Krishanu
Matthew Krishamu, et al.
Anomie Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781910221334, $40.00, HC, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Krishanu/dp/1910221333

Synopsis: Matthew Krishanu's paintings explore topics including childhood, race, religion, art history, family, grief, and love. His subjects (frequently non-white people, especially children) are realized with a shallow pictorial depth, delicate washes of color, and with a sense of interior life. Through this, Krishanu questions the positions of his painterly subjects and depictions of landscapes in relation to the legacy of European colonialism and the art historical canon. Krishanu's practice is heavily informed by his early childhood spent in Dhaka where his parents moved in order to work for the Church of Bangladesh.

"Matthew Krishanu", is the artist's first trade monograph and presents a number of series of Krishanu's works: Another Country, Expatriates, Mission, House of God, Religious Workers and In Sickness and In Health. The paintings included have been made in oil and/or acrylic on canvas, linen or board, with the earliest produced in 2007 and most recent completed in 2022.

The publication also features informative essays by Mark Rappolt and Dorothy Price, alongside an interview with the artist by Ben Luke. Rappolt, Editor-in-Chief at ArtReview magazine, details the various worlds present within Krishanu's paintings. He draws out key themes within Krishanu's oeuvre such as power, religion, identity, and memory, while highlighting its distance from didacticism, and at times, its carefully constructed ambivalence, through examination of key works such as Mission School (2017), Mountain Tent (Two Boys) (2020) and Playground (2020). Price, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art and Visual Culture at The Courtauld, writes sensitively about solitude, memory, and emotion which are palpable within Krishanu's work. In particular, is the series In Sickness and In Health, which traces a life path of Uschi Gatward, the artist's late wife, over sixteen years to her untimely death from cancer in late 2021.

The series is foregrounded as a significant and intimate body of work that subtly shifts over the time period it depicts. In a new interview with Luke, a critic and editor at The Art Newspaper, Krishanu discusses his practice in relation to ideas of religion, race, global art history, photography, health, and personal experiences. Krishanu's work explores, in the artist's own words, 'the puzzle of painting'.

The publication has been deftly edited by Georgia Griffiths and Matt Price. It has been designed by Joe Gilmore, printed and bound by EBS, Verona, and produced by Anomie Publishing and Niru Ratnam, London. The publication has been supported by Guy Halamish; Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai; Niru Ratnam, London; Taimur Hassan; and Tanya Leighton, Berlin and Los Angeles.

Critique: Showcasing the artwork of Matthew Krishanu, this large, hardcover, coffee-table style volume (290 x 245 mm) is an ideal and informative introduction that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Art collections.

Editorial Note: Matthew Krishanu (https://matthewkrishanu.com) is based in London. He completed an MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins in 2009. Recent solo exhibitions include 'Playground', Niru Ratnam (2022), 'Undercurrents', LGDR, New York (2022), 'Picture Plane', Niru Ratnam, London (2020), 'Arrow and Pulpit', Tanya Leighton, Berlin (2021), 'Corvus', Iniva, London (2019), 'A Murder of Crows', Ikon Gallery, Birmingham (2019), and 'The Sun Never Sets', Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, (2019). He has recently been in the group exhibitions 'The Kingfisher's Wing', GRIMM, New York (2022), 'Prophecy', Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre (2022), 'Mixing It Up: Painting Today', Hayward Gallery, London (2021), 'Coventry Biennial', Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Leamington Spa and Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (2021), 'John Moores Painting Prize', Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool (2021), 'Everyday Heroes', Hayward Gallery/Southbank Centre (2020) and 'A Rich Tapestry', Lahore Biennale (2020).

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