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