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Five more books I love
I’ve previously written a blog post Five Books I Love back in Junehad an impact on me, in different ways in both my formative years and more recently. These aren’t necessarily the MOST impactful but they all warrant a place here.
Books are a way to discover the world, learn new concepts and information, to lose yourself, understand new and different perspectives and for simple emotional release too.
I’d love to know what’s on your bookshelves.
Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?: 50th Anniversary Edition
This one is a special blast from the past and on International Women's Day this book deserves a very special mention.
As a 19 year old art student I discovered artists who I had never heard of - and who weren't in the history books of the time - through this book. It was the first time I had heard of Artemesia Gentileschi whose powerful Judith Slaying Holofernes remains one of my favourite paintings.
Learning about history and those who have come before is something I have always considered enriches an artists career, having books like this as an art student as I was finding my way into adulthood, and as an artist exploring my ideas was incredibly valuable. This particular book was a big discovery - thanks to Wendy Stavrianos for the introduction to this and many other great books at the time. Of course my edition isn't the 50th anniversary edition 🙂
About the book
Linda Nochlin’s seminal essay on women artists is widely acknowledged as the first real attempt at a feminist history of art. Nochlin refused to handle the question of why there had been no ‘great women artists’ on its own, corrupted, terms. Instead, she dismantled the very concept of ‘greatness’, unravelling the basic assumptions that had centred a male-coded ‘genius’ in the study of art. With unparalleled insight and startling wit, Nochlin laid bare the acceptance of a white male viewpoint in art historical thought as not merely a moral failure, but an intellectual one. Freedom, as she sees it, requires women to risk entirely demolishing the art world’s institutions and rebuilding them anew – in other words, to leap into the unknown.
As much as I love many of the recognised art greats of the past, I am delighted that more and more artists of different cultures and backgrounds are making their way to the pages of the history books. There is always room for more.
Inside the painter’s studio by Joe Fig
I ADORE this book. It combines ideas, conversations, inside artist's studios and artworks of those same artist's studios. An absolute gem,
Brooklyn artist Joe Fig to embark almost ten years ago on a highly unorthodox, multilayered exploration of the working life of the professional artist.
Determined to ground his research in the physical world, Fig began constructing a series of diorama-like miniature reproductions of the studios of modern art's most legendary painters, such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.
A desire for firsthand references led Fig to approach contemporary artists for access to their studios. Armed with a camera and a self-made "Artist's Questionnaire," Fig began a journey through the workspaces of some of today's most exciting contemporary artists.
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gaye Hendricks
This one took me about five listens before something finally clicked. Before that I knew the messages intellectually. But on the fifth listen I had a gut punch connection "Oh!" moment as I realised some self sabotaging truths. Strangely The Artists Business Lounge (my secret longing project) became real that same year, in part to the one discovery. And yes 'listen' because any development or business books I prefer in Audio version. Psychologist Gaye Hendricks shares how to go beyond your internal limits, release outdated fears and learn a whole new set of powerful skills and habits to liberate your authentic greatness. Especially recommended for anyone who really wants to be an artist but finds themselves in a more conventional ‘sensible’ job.
Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential by Dr Carol S. Dweck
World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research on achievement and success, has discovered a truly groundbreaking idea - the power of our mindset.
Dweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset.
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyler Tharp
One of the world's leading creative artists, choreographers, and creator of the smash-hit Broadway show, Movin' Out, shares her secrets for developing and honing your creative talent
I've got to be honest. Coming from a backgroud that had nothing in common with the privilege and support Twyler Tharp received in her formative years was something I couldn't recognise. I had more than a few moments of envy (because yes I am human and yes that was great to realise where and how my buttons were being pushed). Buttons pushed or not, that doesn't take away from the terrific insights, straight up BS free commentary from the remarkable Twyler Tharp. In this book she speaks some big truths about the creative life.
If you have any books you’d recommend to add on to the blog list, please let me know. I always love book recommendations
Cheers
Amanda
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This post includes affiliate links. I only recommend books that I value. If you purchase any of these books through the link you won’t pay any more, but I may receive a small payment.