MTU Cork Library Catalogue

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British art : a walk round the rusty pier / Julian Freeman.

By: Freeman, Julian, 1950- [author].
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: London : Southbank Publishing, 2006Copyright date: ©2006Description: 365 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 1904915051; 9781904915058.Subject(s): Art, British -- History | Art -- Themes and motives -- Great BritainDDC classification: 709.41
Contents:
Border crossings -- The right kind of lines -- Hands across the water: Ireland -- Scotland -- Wales -- Cloudy with sunny spells -- Life, the spiritual & everything -- The devil and the deep blue sea -- Smut: art & industry -- Can you say that backwards -- Clubbing: you need friends -- Your ugly mug -- Hashed, bashed and despatched -- Watercolour: its in the wash -- It's war -- Showing off: making waves.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Julian Freeman's 16 essays on British art turn the subject on its heads, its side and - without pretending to formally reassess it - give it a good shaking. Deliberately provocative and affectionate by turns, he moves from discursive commentaries on the art of the home counties of the British Isles to consider some of the ways in which Brits of all colours and persuasions have handled the practice of art - from inspiration and inception through creation in its countless modes to the testy business of exhibiting. Deliberately opinionated and stupendously accurate.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Border crossings -- The right kind of lines -- Hands across the water: Ireland -- Scotland -- Wales -- Cloudy with sunny spells -- Life, the spiritual & everything -- The devil and the deep blue sea -- Smut: art & industry -- Can you say that backwards -- Clubbing: you need friends -- Your ugly mug -- Hashed, bashed and despatched -- Watercolour: its in the wash -- It's war -- Showing off: making waves.

Donated by Liam Murphy.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • 1 Border Crossings (p. 11)
  • 2 The Right Kind of Lines (p. 33)
  • 3 Hands Across the Water: Ireland (p. 53)
  • 4 Scotland (p. 71)
  • 5 Wales (p. 89)
  • 6 Cloudy with Sunny Spells (p. 115)
  • 7 Life, the Spiritual & Everything (p. 139)
  • 8 The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (p. 161)
  • 9 Smut: Art & Industry (p. 177)
  • 10 Can You Say that Backwards? (p. 199)
  • 11 Clubbing: You Need Friends (p. 221)
  • 12 Your Ugly Mug (p. 237)
  • 13 Hashed, Bashed & Despatched (p. 259)
  • 14 Watercolour: Its in the Wash (p. 283)
  • 15 It's War (p. 307)
  • 16 Showing Off: Making Waves (p. 331)
  • Bibliography (p. 351)
  • Register of Artists (p. 354)
  • Gallery Contact Details (p. 358)
  • Index (p. 359)
  • Index of Illustrations (p. 364)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

In 16 essays covering 500 years, Freeman (Art: A Crash Course) examines the dominant themes and influences of British art, highlighting such fascinating ideas and new perspectives as the weather's effect on British art and the contributions of various ethnic groups. But, too frequently, his meaning is unclear, as when he states that the driving force behind British art has passed from the artist into the hands of the state (an assertion for which he offers little or no proof) and then remarks, "In itself, this doesn't augur well, but the fat lady is still in the dressing room, and so nothing is lost." Further, his word choice and attitude of studied iconoclasm detract from the book's seriousness while making it necessary to read with care. Well-reproduced illustrations, a register of artists (additional background information on the featured artists and artworks would often have been helpful), and a very selective bibliography round out the text. Freeman's broad and knowledgeable examination of themes, artists, and works makes the book important for academic libraries with informed readers who might benefit from Freeman's provocative ideas.-Martin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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