Mervyn Williams by Edward Hanfling

$59.00 NZD

$135.00 (56% off)

Category: Art | Reading Level: Near Fine

From Modernism to the digital age. The title of this book might well have been "The Unknown Mervyn Williams." Its contents will surprise most artlovers who may be familiar with one, perhaps two of the principle phases of this artist's work, but few, if any, will ever have seen all that is laid out here in one place for the first time. His talent was recognised early on by important figures such as R.N. Field, Frank Carpay and Ted Dutch, evidence of it can be clearly seen in the selection of paintings made while he was still in his teens. These are accomplished paintings and entirely abstract, making Williams unique amongst his contemporaries, all of whom worked in a figurative manner before in some cases turning to abstract painting. In the mid 1960s, however, his developing skills and interest in technology led to highly experimental work in Optical Art and also to his nickname "Optic Merv". This direction continued developing throughout the 1970s. Like his colleague and fellow pioneer in this field, Ray Thorburn, he found little response from a local audience dismissive of international directions and hungry for that real "New Zealandness" so evident in the work of the regional painters of the time. The 1980s saw the development of a body of work exploring a different optical effect, textured colour fields which appear to be illuminated from within. Later in that decade came the much admired wooden sculptures and constructions, the legacy of the Tylee Cottage residency. By 1990 Williams had perfected a method of chiaroscuro painting based on Renaissance techniques, giving rise to a powerful illusion of high relief and three dimensionality. This large body of work is unique and original, defining the artist's career and setting it apart from his contemporaries. ...Show more

Pat Hanly by Gregory O'Brien

$59.00 NZD

$150.00 (60% off)

Category: Art | Reading Level: New

A magnificent colourful monograph from the series of major New Zealnd artists by Ron Sang Publications. Over a career spanning four decades, Pat Hanly proposed a new manner of looking at New Zealand - the land and its people. His art heralded new ways of thinking about this country - as a nation that b elonged to the young and the adventurous, to the dreamers and to those who could see the vital place the island nation could have within Polynesia and the broader Pacific. Featuring nearly 300 colour plates and over 50 photographs, this large-format publication offers an unprecendented record of Hanly's effervescent, brilliant paintings, many of which have achieved iconic status. Alongside an essay by Gregory O'Brien which focuses on the artist's immensely productive relationship with the city of Auckland, the book includes illuminating memoirs by four of Hanly's closes friends. An annotated and profusely illustrated chronolgy provides an overview of the artist's life, while sampling critical and art historical reactions along the way. The large-scale reproductions offer an emphatic account of what must stand as the most vivid, animated body of paintings by a single artist to have yet hailed from these shores. ...Show more

Paul Dibble - X - A Decade of Sculpture 2010-2020 by Fran Dibble

$70.00 NZD

Category: Art

Paul Dibble has traversed many subjects in his sculptural work - often returning to them years later, like godwits coming home to roost. Between 2010 and 2020, human figures and native New Zealand flora and fauna have been among Dibble's oft-revisited subjects, his work refining these figures to their s implest forms. Yet, while the forms may be simplified, the implied sense of movement, the anticipation of action and captured emotion are paramount. Dibble is one of a select number of sculptors who cast their own bronze work, often in larger-then-life scale, creating a powerful effect. Prolific in his output and ambitious in his scope and vision, it is easy to see why Paul Dibble remains one of New Zealand's most original and respected sculptors. ...Show more

Design Lives Here: Australian Interiors, Furniture and Lighting by Penny Craswell

$65.00 NZD

Category: Art

Australian design has forged its own unique trajectory, influenced by geographic isolation, a distinctive natural environment and a modern sensibility. Design Lives Here showcases the best of Australian residential architecture and interiors, and pays homage to the local designers and makers who have cr afted bespoke pieces of furniture and lighting for these homes, whether large or small.From a reimagined Californian bungalow with a dining table inspired by the humble HB pencil to a monumental inner-city residence furnished with more than 100 custom pieces, these houses - and the objects that reside within - offer a compelling snapshot of contemporary Australian design through the lens of materiality, utility, site and place. ...Show more

Street Art Africa by Cale Waddacor

$55.00 NZD

Category: Art

This visually rich survey showcases the work of over two hundred artists from more than forty countries as it explores and celebrates street art in Africa over the last decade. In Street Art Africa, readers can reflect on works such as the monumental Murais da Leba in Angola--a nearly 20,000-square-foot expanse of wall covered by local graffiti and visual artists in the Serra da Leba mountain range--and learn more about the idiosyncrasies of individual street art scenes and how they mesh with local communities, such as eL Seed's project "Perception" a huge multipart mural stretching across more than fifty buildings in Cairo's Zaraeeb neighborhood that provides a message of hope to marginalized communities.Featuring in-depth interviews with street artists active in Africa today, as well as coverage of the continent's major street art projects, collectives, and festivals, this book introduces the reader to the leading figures and hot-spots in African street art. With detailed commentaries on style, processes, and social and cultural context, Street Art Africa provides readers with a wealth of insight into contemporary visual cultures on the continent and is a must-have for street art fans and practitioners. ...Show more

Maori Art For Kids by Julie Noanoa & Norm Heke

$25.00 NZD

Category: Art

This collection of 15 projects offers children aged 7 and over a range of unique Maori art experiences. Practical skills cover sculpture, photography, design, paint, mixed media, collage and more. Easy-to-follow instructions include illustrations of the steps involved, using everyday craft materials, r ecycled and found objects. Examples of taonga (treasures) created by leading contemporary artists are shown alongside each project with a brief explanation of the object, its purpose and use in the past and present. While teaching as a museum/art gallery educator, the author had numerous requests from parents, teachers and educators over the years for ideas on how they could teach art and Maori culture to their children. These projects have been compiled in response to those requests, along with research and observation about how children connect with art. By engaging in these projects children will recognise that art takes many forms and can be enjoyed by everyone. This book will appeal to anyone looking for art activities that focus on Maori art and culture, and will suit both girls and boys. An emphasis on upcycling means that the ideas are accessible to the budget conscious without compromising on quality. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, primary school teachers, early childhood educators and community youth groups will find it a valuable resource. ...Show more

Vitamin T: Threads and Textiles in Contemporary Art by Phaidon Editors; Jenelle Porter

$120.00 NZD

Category: Art

A global survey of more than 100 artists, chosen by art-world professionals for their work with threads, stitching, and textiles Celebrating tapestry, embroidery, stitching, textiles, knitting, and knotting as used by visual artists worldwide, Vitamin Tis the latest in the celebrated series in which lea ding curators, critics, and art professionals nominate living artists for inclusion. As boundaries between art and craft have blurred, artists have increasingly embraced these materials and methods, with the resulting works being coveted by collectors and exhibited in museums worldwide. Vitamin Tis a vibrant and incredibly timely survey - the first of its kind. ...Show more

Relaxed Rustic: Bring the Tranquility of Nature into Your Home by Niki Brantmark

$50.00 NZD

Category: Art

Inspired by nature, these beautiful interiors show how you can bring the natural world into your home whether you live in the country or the city.   Relaxed rustic interiors are about embracing the pared-back lifestyle of living in the country, taking nature as the main point of inspiration. Use colors, textures, and details to create a home in which to unwind--a retreat from the rest of the world. Niki Brantmark explores various takes on this simple, informal style. The graphical look is striking, reminiscent of exposed landscapes: think whitewashed ceilings, rugged stone surfaces, and striking black features, softened by cozy soft furnishings and fresh plants and flowers. Savanna style introduces warmer hues, featuring painted wood and reds, oranges, and browns in textiles, furniture, and collectibles. Nordic interiors take in the best of the Scandinavian landscape--clean white backdrops against sleek designs--while those inspired by forest and mountain streams are filled with rich, deep greens and blues, combined with traditional patterns and features, such as log burners, wood paneling, and woven rugs. The stunning photography for this book takes in locations across Scandinavia and the United States, and all evoke an ideal, rural life, adapted to modern living. ...Show more

Post modern Design Complete by Judith Gura

$110.00 NZD

Category: Art

Originating as a rebellious movement in philosophy and literature, Postmodernism proclaimed the death of modernism and promoted a new, nonlinear way of approaching architecture and design, spearheaded by Michael Graves, Robert Venturi, Ettore Sottsass, and Alessandro Mendini. It became a style in itself and the defining look of the 1980s.Postmodern Design Complete is the comprehensive reference to this period of vibrant design, as it profiles key creators including Graves, Mendini, Sottsass, Venturi, Charles Jencks, and Denise Scott Brown and covers the fields of architecture, furniture, graphic design, textiles, and product and industrial design. A section on Living with Postmodernism presents fifteen seminal homes and their furnishings; and a final section titled Postmodernism Continues is a comprehensive overview of contemporary makers. Highly informed and accessible texts are illustrated by more than 1,000 images that bring together classics and little-seen rarities, unusual objets d'art, and mass-produced items. This definitive volume also includes a foreword by Charles Jencks and an afterword by Denise Scott Brown, followed by a substantial reference section. ...Show more

The Street Art Manual by Barney Francis

$35.00 NZD

Category: Art

The Street Art Manual is an illicit, tactical handbook to creating art in public and taking over urban space. Every type of street art is covered, from painting graffiti, to light projections, stenciling, wheat pasting and mural making, with each technique illustrated with step-by-step drawings.   Arm yourself with the tips and knowledge that no other guide will give you and go out and reclaim the streets in the name of urban creativity. ...Show more

101 Works of Art by Sarah Pepperle; Christchurch Art Gallery Staff (Contribution by)

$80.00 NZD

Category: Art

In this large, beautifully presented book, Christchurch Art Gallery showcases 101 treasures from its collection – paintings, drawings, sculpture, film and photographs that stand out in a line-up of New Zealand's most significant collected works. Enjoy thoughtful, conversational texts by Lara Strongman, Ken Hall, Felicity Milburn, Nathan Pohio, Peter Vangioni and Jenny Harper – written to feel as if the reader is standing with the curator in front of the painting. Also includes insightful interviews with artists and curators. Deisgned by award-winning artist and designer Aaron Beehre, this will be the art book to buy this year! ...Show more

Rone: Street Art and Beyond by Rone

$65.00 NZD

Category: Art

Known for his multi-storey murals gracing buildings all over the world, Melbourne-based artist Rone uses his work to explore the friction and connection between beauty and decay, youth and ruin.Rone was a seminal figure in the explosive Melbourne street art scene of the early 2000s. With his beginnings in street art, stencil and screen printing, Rone is now best known for his haunting images of women's faces, rendered in arresting detail on silos and store fronts, museums and apartment blocks. His immersive installations have continued his investigation into divergent themes of beauty and ruin, materiality and loss, through the transformation of condemned, derelict or forgotten spaces - with each artwork painstakingly produced, only to be destroyed. Rone: Street Art and Beyond presents a survey of the artist's work from the street, the studio, and the ephemeral installations. The works are bookended by essays that trace the evolution of Rone's career over the last two decades, delve into his depictions of women, and go behind the scenes of his most ambitious installation to date: Empire (2019), set in the disused Art Deco mansion Burnham Beeches on the outskirts of Melbourne. Anecdotal notes from the artist unpack the stories behind the portraits, tying them to their communities in London, Paris, New York, Havana, Christchurch, Hong Kong and beyond. ...Show more