For me, Christmas has always been about books. I love finding the right book to give someone, and I love the surprise of books people find for me. (I usually end up buying a few things for me along the way!)
Here are a few books I’m reading now, recently finished or have on deck to start soon.
Books I’m reading now, or just finished
Robert Szot, Let Me Do This: Two decades in New York City
This is an early Christmas present I bought myself. It just arrived this week.
Szot is one of my favourite contemporary painters. I love the way he works with colour and shapes, burying and revealing as he goes. He’s also very thoughtful about his process, which he discusses here in interviews. The majority of the book is taken up with plates of his work from 2001 to 2020.
If you’re interested in his work, abstraction, or creative process in general, I recommend this book. It’s not widely available. I believe you have to order it through his gallery, Anita Rogers Gallery in NYC.
Matisse the Master: A Life of Henri Matisse: 1909-1954 and The Unknown Matisse: Man of the North 1869-1908
by Hilary Spurling
I finished the first volume a week ago and am just a few chapters in to the second book. This is a thorough, scholarly biography of Matisse that might surprise you. From our current perspective I think it’s almost impossible to appreciate how thoroughly reviled Matisse was for much of his life. Spurling gives you a sense of just how radical his paintings were in their time. For that perspective alone, I think it’s a worthwhile read.
I thought I knew the broad strokes of his career, but there was still tons I didn’t know. If you’re a fan it’s definitely worth reading.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, Smiley’s People
by John Le Carré
I reread the “Karla” trilogy every now and then. I loved the tv series with Alec Guinness back in the late 1970s (it’s as slow-paced and complicated as the book). The new film’s pretty good too. But nothing beats the books. I had just started the third book when I heard that Le Carré had died.
These are great spy thrillers, but they’re also wonderfully written with incredible insight into human nature. George Smiley is the anti-Bond. No slick gadgets, just a great brain in a dumpy body slowly moving through a morally grey universe.
On deck
The Practice: shipping creative work
by Seth Godin
Probably on many artists’ reading lists, after Art Juice podcast episode 100! The hosts, Alice Sheridan & Louise Fletcher interviewed Seth Godin and I definitely want to read the book now. If you aren’t listening to Art Juice, look for it wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s a fun, informative and thought-proving hour hosted to by two working artists.
Mark Rothko: Toward the Light in the Chapel
by Annie Cohen-Solal
In an interview Robert Szot mentioned his admiration of Rothko’s work and his practice. I know the work and have seen a few in person, but always meant to read more about the man. The book is well-reviewed, so hopefully it’s as interesting as it sounds.
What are you reading?
I’d love to hear about what you’re reading these days. I’m always on the prowl for new titles. I love art-related books, but my interests are wide-ranging. If you think it’s good—I’m interested.
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