The St Ives Artists: New Edition: A Biography of Place and Time

by Michael Bird

St Ives is unique in the story of modern art in Britain – and perhaps anywhere in the world. No other small seaside town has been host to such a roll-call of major artists. First published by Lund Humphries in 2008, The St Ives A Biography of Place and Time is now established as the classic account of the St Ives group of artists, combining in-depth research with ‘startling anecdotal richness’. The beautifully produced new edition, first published in 2016, is now available in an accessible paperback format.

Genres: Art

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2008

Reviews

[Zoë Wells]

Took ages to read this. Easier to go at a lick when actively thinking about painting practice and the history of art in the UK.

Considering Hepworth is the defining and lasting icon of St Ives, woman artists are confined to one chapter of this tome. In this chapter, Bird describes largely how these artists were perceived, their lovers and their position in society. I understand an attempt to not remove the artist from their context… But how does this affect the work? Why is the chapter not dedicated to looking for connections between their work and the work produced by the colony? Why are women artists segregated to their own measly chapter? Found it somewhat hard to stomach. Very much the tone of ‘oh isn’t it fantastic women are allowed in the studio!’

A comprehensive book to read if you’re at all interested in modernism in the UK. If you’re interested in the art, go see it, or read the words of the artists themselves.