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Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way
This book gives you entré into the life and art of an incredible woman who has done much with her life. She has traveled the world. She has met several presidents and prime ministers. She has charmed her way into situations and into places few would imagine possible for anyone. To say that she is a remarkable person is to miss the mark. While barely 20 and an undergraduate, along with a few others, she started the Deaf Art Movement. By 25 her artwork had been published in over 10 books. By 40 she had created an international symbol of sign language interpreting, and had her design work published on over 2000 book covers. By 45, after rededicating her life to studio art, she had completed over 150 pieces and defined a new art genre: Deaf Pop Art. She has taken more photographs of famous people using the ILY sign than most people can name. She found herself in Japan and within days of her arrival was living with a Deaf host family and being interviewed on Japanese TV. She has chutzpah, wit, and style in her 5 foot frame. When I tell you she has been Deaf from birth, I expect some readers will be more impressed. As Silver would say, “Pfft. Get over yourself.” Being Deaf is a part of her, like being born Jewish or being born a lesbian. It isn’t amazing that she’s done what she’s done because she’s Deaf. She is just amazing. This book is an art biography because it is about her art, but it is also about her life. It reads in chronological format, starting with her birth and leads the reader through various stages in her life and artwork up to the present.
198 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2012
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 5, 2014
Jim Van Manen created a wonderful biography of this journey and of Ann’s art. His own experience as a hearing child of deaf parents uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between cultures drawing connections with experiences that resonate with hearing and deaf cultures alike. In addition to art aficionados and those interested in deaf culture, I suspect this book will resonate with anyone who’s ever worked to cross communication boundaries with others whether it be across traditional languages or even with the non-traditional language barriers between generations, parents and children. This story has further opened my eyes to the bridges to understand that artistic expression in all forms creates. Ann Silver’s story is one of a determined and insatiably creative woman living in a culture many people don’t understand exists. Her inspiring journey through life opened my eyes to the differences in experiences created by language and communication. Born and mostly raised in the US and growing up deaf, Ann learned to live in a hearing world constantly striving to find new forms of expression. Through her work she’s had incredible influence on deaf culture and art. Her journey and that of thousands of others is expressed in this wonderful anthology of her art.
March 5, 2014
Spellbound is the first word that comes to mind with this book of Ann Silver. I've never had a biographical art book that truly captivated my senses as I read through it. I had a HARD time putting the book down while eating and doing my chores at home. Ms. Silver's life is COLORFUL compaired to a regular person, her zest for life shows thru her VIVID and BOLD art works!! This book is a "MUST HAVE" book for art collectors or a person who enjoys reading a biography that is FULL OF LIFE!!
February 26, 2014
When you hold Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way in your hands you are holding a one-of-a-kind text! Regardless of who you are there is something for you in Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way that makes this book worth reading.
I remember vividly the first time I had this book in my hands. I had the honor of reading it within weeks of it's publication. I was sitting on the edge of a bed in a hotel room in Louisville, KY. I read it through with my friend in one setting! The images in the book are visually stunning and the pop-art-style design of the book makes it engaging while it tells a story. The author,James W. Van Manen PhD, weaves his wit in and around 200+ pieces of "Silver Art" as he masterfully explains things like the Deaf Art Movement (DAM), De'VIA, and the impact Ann Silver has had across generations of artists and art enthusiasts - both Deaf and hearing - in American as well as internationally.
It's not merely a biography, history book, textbook, or picture book. It's all of these and more! I have used it countless times to help explain facets of Deaf culture and to hearing friends. I have also been in classes that used Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way as a textbook. Through this book I've developed a deeper appreciation for art in general and Deaf art specifically. If you're an art enthusiast, collector, teacher, or just an average hearing person (like me) who enjoys art then this book is one to add to your collection. If you don't have that book collection yet, let this be the first! It's not just "some book about a deaf person". It's a visual journey through the life of a Deaf artist and it will make you reconsider what it means to be an artist. One doesn't need to hear in order to be an artist and have a story to tell.
Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way is a must-own-multiple-copies kind of book. Have a copy on your coffee table, in your classroom, as part of your personal library, and public library too! Read it, enjoy it, and pass it on.
I remember vividly the first time I had this book in my hands. I had the honor of reading it within weeks of it's publication. I was sitting on the edge of a bed in a hotel room in Louisville, KY. I read it through with my friend in one setting! The images in the book are visually stunning and the pop-art-style design of the book makes it engaging while it tells a story. The author,James W. Van Manen PhD, weaves his wit in and around 200+ pieces of "Silver Art" as he masterfully explains things like the Deaf Art Movement (DAM), De'VIA, and the impact Ann Silver has had across generations of artists and art enthusiasts - both Deaf and hearing - in American as well as internationally.
It's not merely a biography, history book, textbook, or picture book. It's all of these and more! I have used it countless times to help explain facets of Deaf culture and to hearing friends. I have also been in classes that used Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way as a textbook. Through this book I've developed a deeper appreciation for art in general and Deaf art specifically. If you're an art enthusiast, collector, teacher, or just an average hearing person (like me) who enjoys art then this book is one to add to your collection. If you don't have that book collection yet, let this be the first! It's not just "some book about a deaf person". It's a visual journey through the life of a Deaf artist and it will make you reconsider what it means to be an artist. One doesn't need to hear in order to be an artist and have a story to tell.
Ann Silver: One Way, Deaf Way is a must-own-multiple-copies kind of book. Have a copy on your coffee table, in your classroom, as part of your personal library, and public library too! Read it, enjoy it, and pass it on.
March 5, 2014
Having Deaf and Hard of Hearing family members mad buying this book a no brainer for me. In this book you see so many of the creative ways that the world is seen through the eyes of this very talented artist. Many of the pages are filled with imagines from my childhood memories and some new things that I would never have looked at in this way. If you can get you hands on it I would say do it. My favorite would have to be on Pages 174-175 and is called "The Periodic Table of Deaf Culture". This took something that I could not understand in chemistry and turned into something that is clear as can be when connected to the deaf community. Being able to see with the eyes of the artist has opened up my personal views of how I now see many things in the world. Again great buy, either for yourself or as a gift.
March 28, 2014
what did I think? It is the most absolutely fabulous book on the very profound depth of the Deaf artist and her work. By exploring the whole art work in the book makes me appreciate who I am as a Deaf person and also makes me realize that we DO have Deaf art work within our lives. Ann is truly inspiring to us all! Jim Van Manen did the great justice to Ann with his very well-written book with pictures!
March 14, 2014
This book was given to me as a gift. I enjoyed reading about Ann Silver's life and how she has been an inspiration to many people of all walks of life. I had no idea that there was such a thing as deaf art until I read this book and it proves to me that you can learn something new at any age. This is a great art book as well as a biography of her life. I would definitely recommend this book.
February 27, 2014
I love this book, but I am biased. I am its author. Ann Silver is an important artist in the Deaf community and a firecracker. Her stories about Andy Warhol and other notables she met were amazing. I was fortunate to have had the chance to interview her and make this book a reality.
February 27, 2014
This book is wonderful for any art lover. It was enjoyable to read this book and l delightfully learned more about the two sides of Ann-the public and the private Ann. The time line in the book was carefully revealing every elements of Silver's artistic journey. A rare treat !
March 5, 2014
Ann's story is fascinating! Although I am neither Deaf nor an artist, I could still relate to many of her experiences and her story has reminded me not to give up on my dreams. Her incredible artwork in addition to her story makes this the perfect book!
August 6, 2016
Van Manen brilliantly chronicles Ann Silver's riveting life in One Way Deaf Way. Silver was born to tell the world her story through her Deaf eyes. Her contribution to the Art world and Deaf world is utterly priceless.
August 21, 2014
Great Profile of the artist and her contributions to Deaf art, written in a fun and personal voice with a great layout for any lover of contemporary art, deaf art or deaf studies!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews