5 Books on Abstract Artists Everyone Should Know
Looking for artistic inspiration? Check out these five books on groundbreaking 20th-century artists, including the boundary-breaking women of the Abstract Expressionist movement and the visionary Alma Thomas. With in-depth explorations of their processes, challenges, and triumphs, these books offer a unique perspective on the art world. Gain insight into the minds and works of some of the most influential artists of our time, and be inspired to push the boundaries of your own art and creativity. Expand your horizons and ignite your passion with these must-read books.
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Women of Abstract Expressionism, Yale University Press
Despite playing a significant role in the development of Abstract Expressionism, women artists have not received the same recognition as their male counterparts in the 1940s and 1950s. Finally, this book provides a long-awaited survey of over 40 artists, including Jay DeFeo, Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Elaine de Kooning, and Lee Krasner, featuring their biographies and full-color plates. In addition, scholars’ essays explore the techniques, concerns, and legacies of these women, offering a fresh perspective on their work and the movement as a whole.
Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art, by Mary Gabriel
Ninth Street Women tells the captivating story of five fearless women artists who defied social norms to make a name for themselves in the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting. Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler defied societal norms to achieve greatness and transform American art. Mary Gabriel’s captivating narrative chronicles their triumphs and challenges, highlighting their significant impact on the art world and society. With insightful storytelling and inspiring messages, this book celebrates the legacy of these trailblazing artists and inspires readers to push beyond their own limitations.
Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful, by Jonathan Frederick Walz, Seth Feman, et al
Discover Alma W. Thomas, the pioneering Black artist who had a solo show at the Whitney Museum in 1972. This book offers a reassessment of her life and work, showcasing her rarely-seen theatrical designs, sculpture, family photographs, watercolors, and marionettes. Through essays, readers can gain insight into her creative journey from semi-rural Georgia to international recognition and learn about her connection to the Washington Color School and Howard University. See how Thomas’s pursuit of beauty extended to every facet of her life in this stunning tribute to a true visionary.
Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future, by Tracey Bashkoff
Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future is the book that accompanies the first major survey of the Swedish artist’s work in the United States. Despite leaving behind over 1,000 paintings and works on paper after her death, af Klint stipulated that her art should remain unseen for another 20 years. Her radically abstract painting practice predates modernist abstraction. The book features essays, a roundtable discussion, and explores af Klint’s life and art, including her unrealized plans for a spiral-shaped temple. It expands on recent scholarship and offers a unique perspective on the pioneering artist’s work.
Becoming Mary Sully by Philip J. Deloria
This book delves into the life and work of Mary Sully, a Dakota Sioux artist who created stunning abstract triptychs and “personality prints” of notable American figures. Although Sully’s work received some recognition during her lifetime, this book reexamines and reclaims her art through multiple lenses, including modernism, Dakota women’s aesthetics, mental health, ethnography, and American Indian politics. The author reveals Sully’s shift towards an anti-colonial aesthetic that positioned Indigenous women as critical players in American Indian futures, both within and separate from American modernity and modernism.
If you are passionate about art, these books are essential reads that will deepen your understanding of the art world and inspire you to explore new avenues in your own artistic practice. Each book offers a unique perspective on the lives and works of influential artists and movements, providing insights that are both educational and inspiring. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and be inspired by the rich history and creative minds that have shaped the world of art. Purchase these books today and embark on a journey of discovery that will enrich your artistic perspective.
Meet the Artist
Scott Maier is an artist and a content contributor to artistsnetwork.com. He’s also the author of the instructional art book See, Think, Draw: An Easy Guide for Realistic Drawing and Beyond.
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