Drawing People: The Human Figure in Contemporary Art - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1938922689 ISBN 13: 9781938922688

Publisher: D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers, 2015

Synopsis

How contemporary artists draw the human figure in an affordable, up-to-date and well-illustrated survey, covering an eclectic range of drawing styles and media

Drawing People is a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated survey of the most compelling and inventive drawings of the human form being produced today by 70 contemporary artists from around the world. An introduction places the medium of drawing in its historical context, discussing its intersection with photography, painting, collage and illustration, as well as its ability to intimately express thought, personality and emotion, as well as fundamental questions about identity. Five chapters–Body, Self, Personal Lives, Social Reality and Fictions–include short introductions outlining each theme, followed by generously illustrated profiles on individual artists exploring their style, approach to the medium and the ideas, narratives and inspirations that lie behind their mark-making. A selection of finely reproduced images highlights the latest work by each artist.

Drawing People features an international roster of artists working with pencil, ink, watercolor, charcoal and crayon, including Francis Alÿs, Charles Avery, Louise Bourgeois, Francesco Clemente, Adam Dant, Marlene Dumas, Dr. Lakra, Paul McCarthy, Nalini Malani, Wangechi Mutu, Raymond Pettibon, Rosemarie Trockel, Tal R, Marcel Dzama, Barry McGee, Amy Sillman and Kara Walker. Together, their drawings and sketches, illustrations and animations bring to life one of the most creatively rich and emotionally powerful forms of art being made today.

An essential book for students and practicing artists.

About this title

Review:

This very attractive compilation of contemporary art―drawings on paper―provides an excellent review of a medium that is too often overlooked. (Johnathan Rickard New York Journal of Books)

Featuring over 70 contemporary artists from around the world, Drawing People: The Human Figure in Contemporary Art is an in-depth look at how contemporary artists draw the human figure. Packed with drawings in pencil, ink, watercolor, charcoal and crayon, this publication dives into the world of drawing, looking not only at the medium itself but also into the artists individual styles, approach and narratives found within the works... An absolute must for any art students and practicing artists! (BMW Art Guide)

A comprehensive and impressive compilation of work from many different contributors, regions and cultures... this is a fascinating and rewarding read. (The Artist)

Roger Malbert’s beautifully designed book is a welcome addition to the relatively sparse English-language literature on contemporary drawing... Malbert’s selection of artists, known and unknown, establishes his thesis that there is a global reinvestment in the human figure as a source of political, psychological and, above all, satirical commentary. For once, in an art world that worships the casual gestural sketch, these are predominantly complex, skilful and ideas-based drawings, weaving witty, disturbing or powerful fantasies about aesthetics as well as abjection. They celebrate exaggerated graphic elaboration, and also colourful and open-ended anarchic invention. (Deanna Petherbridge The Art Newspaper)

An art student on any level will obsess over this thoughtful analysis of the most innovative drawings of the human form being created today. (Lalé Shafaghi Juxtapoz)

Drawing People rewards through its eclectic mix of artists using drawing as their base, and may inspire an expanding attitude towards the human figure from artistic readers. (Derek Brazell Association of Illustrators)

Drawing People is a rich and guttural study of the body. (Art Quarterly)

The work varies as one would expect from hyper realism to nearly non-representational. There is pure line, chiaroscuro, and color. Reproduction of the art is generous, both in printing quality and size. Each artist’s name, birth date, birthplace, and current location is provided. Some works speak eloquently of the artist’s ethnicity and others reflect this age of instant communication―the blurring of borders. (Jonathan Rickard New York Journal of Books)

a crucial guide to today’s best artists who draw (Alyssa Greenberg The Art Blog)

The year’s best survey of contemporary figurative drawing and an essential guide to the latest developments in the field. An important teaching tool, Drawing People features work by 70 of today’s most compelling international artists. (Art Agenda)

About this edition

• Publisher: D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1938922689
• ISBN 13: 9781938922688
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256