Derek Jarman: Protest!

by Sean Kissane, Karim Rehmani-White

Derek Jarman was a very English rebel, a maverick and radical artist whose unique and distinctive voice was honed protesting against the strictures of life in post-war Britain. In an innovative practice that roamed freely across all varieties of media, Jarman refused to live and die quietly. He defined bohemian London life in the 1960s, exploded into queer punk in the 70s and with unbounded creative rage, ingenuity and sheer personal charm, he triumphed over an atmosphere of fear and ignorance in the age of AIDS to produce timeless, eloquent works of art which resonate still more strongly today.

This major new publication offers a definitive overview of Derek Jarman’s life and work. It covers all aspects of his oeuvre, from his features to his Super-8 films, his painting, design for theatre, poetry, gardening, memoir and political activism. Protest! contains excerpts from Jarman’s own writings, short interviews with friends and collaborators and newly commissioned texts from a wide range of contributors including John Maybury, Peter Tatchell, Philip Hoare, Sir Norman Rosenthal and Olivia Laing. Generously illustrated with previously unseen images drawn from Jarman’s personal archive and unseen works from all stages of his career, this book brings the reader fresh and surprising insights into the world of this much-loved artist.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 28, 2020

About the author

Seán Kissane

Reviews

[Mark Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, possibly in the pages of one of his books, I saw some of Derek Jarman's artworks and was a bit confounded. They were dark, difficult, and didn't really speak to me. This book has helped change my attitude to them, and shown them for the powerful images that they are. It is pretty amazing actually. Based largely on a couple of exhibitions, it has a lot of accompanying essays (which sometimes suffer from repeating the same introductory information), from people who knew or worked with Jarman, and covers everything from his paintings to his films, Super 8s, books, garden, set design work, and music videos. A must for any Jarman fan, but also an important look at a radical, politically motivated and driven creative, who documented both his own life, especially after his HIV diagnosis, and the lives of queer people during Thatcher's Britain. Stunningly presented and produced.