Agnes Martin

by Frances Morris, Briony Fer, Tiffany Bell

Agnes Martin was one of the preeminent painters of the twentieth century, whose work has had a significant influence both on artists of her own time and for subsequent generations. A contemporary of the Abstract Expressionists though often identified with Minimalism, Martin was one of the few women artists who came to prominence in the predominately masculine art world of the late 1950s and 1960s, and she became a particularly important role model for younger women artists. This groundbreaking survey provides an overview of Martin's career, from lesser-known early experimental works through her striped and gridded grey paintings and use of color in various formats, to a group of her final pieces that reintroduce bold forms. A selection of drawings and watercolors is also included. With essays by leading scholars that give a context for Martin's work—her life, relationship with other artists, the influence of South-Asian philosophy—alongside focused shorter pieces on particular paintings, this beautifully designed volume is the definitive publication on her oeuvre.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2015

Reviews

[Mark Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed, thought provoking, comprehensive of the artist's life and well, magnificent. Highly recommended.

[Lauren Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply inspired by Martin right now <3

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only do I love this artist, this monograph is excellent. Her retrospective is traveling to Los Angeles next summer and I'm hoping to see that show! (And celebrate a happy occasion with family members too!!!)

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six pillars of self esteeem

[Catherine Corman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way of an artist is an entirely different way. It is a way of surrender.

-Agnes Martin

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agnes Martin was an abstract artist of the 20th century. She was able to reduce art to a series of lines or dots, or dots and lines, but still leave us with a visually impressive work. Relatively unknown outside of serious art circles, she deserves to be more widely recognized.