A compact, illustrated collection of Henri Matisse's insights into art and life.In addition to being a formidable artist, Henri Matisse (1869 1954) was a prolific letter writer and regular contributor to many publications. Following in the successful format of 'The World According to ' series, this anthology of quotations unites Matisse's thoughts and artworks to construct a unique view of the world, as seen through the eyes of one of the greatest artists of the twentieth cen...
A richly illustrated survey of Matisse's impact on modern art that also examines his career, techniques, aesthetics and stages of artistic development.The work of Henri Matisse has been both a profound inspiration to his successors and a source of infinite enjoyment to all who love art. Yet the apparent spontaneity of his colour and ease of imagery were the fruit of a lifetime's arduous labour; the simplicity of his compositions the result of a formidable intelligence. In thi...
A history of the Japanese archipelago through its material artefacts over fifteen millennia.This spirited visual account of life in the Japanese archipelago spans over 15,000 years, revealing the stories behind an intriguing selection of objects from the British Museum Collection. It explores the history of the region through artefacts, from the lengthy prehistoric record, through the rise of Buddhism and a military elite in Japan's classical and medieval periods, to the econ...
A new edition of Belinda Thomson's highly accessible survey, which brings together the latest research on this perennially popular art movement.The enduring popularity of Impressionism belies what the group of painters dubbed the Impressionists stood for. In the 1870s and 1880s, French artists, including Pissarro, Monet, Degas, Morisot and Renoir, adopted a revolutionary style of technique and subject matter that defied the traditions of the French Academy and the Salons. Roo...
The story of an outfit, a designer, his muse, and what the three of them created together: contemporary style.Paris, 1966. In the tranquility of his studio on Avenue Marceau, Yves Saint Laurent is conducting research for his next collection. From his drawings a female figure emerges... in a tuxedo! 'Le Smoking' is born.New York, 1967. Yves Saint Laurent steps out for lunch on the Upper East Side with his lifelong muse Betty Catroux. They are denied a table at every restaurant...
Who doesn't dream of an enviable garden? For many of us, outdoor space is limited but with clever design, even the smallest plot can become a stylish, functional, and relaxing escape.Featuring 47 inspiring small gardens from around the world, this beautifully photographed book shows how to make every outdoor space flourish. Perfect for anyone seeking small garden inspiration or creative landscaping tips.Includes:47 real gardens with stunning photography and practical layouts....
A Sunday Times BestsellerA thought-provoking work by a singular voice, this short, sharp essay invites us to critically reconsider power, ideology and the boundaries of free speech.Invisible, invasive and widely taken for granted, censorship is a globalized force as much driven by commercial interests as political agendas. Ai Weiwei artist, activist and one of the world's most influential cultural figures has first-hand experience of its power. In this urgent piece of writing...
A unique re-interpretation of the city of ancient Rome and its empire, using the tools offered by the latest information technology and graphic design.Packed with cleverly designed graphics, charts and diagrams, Ancient Rome: Infographics uses data visualization to tell the epic tale of the city of Rome and its empire. Every aspect of the Roman world is explored, from the birth of the Republic to the imperial dynasties, from the political and legal system to Rome's military m...
A step-by-step guide to becoming and being a samurai.It is 1615, and the Samurai, Japan's elite fighting class, are at the zenith of their powers. Trained in every manner of combat, from sword-fighting and archery to karate and ju-jutsu, the Samurai warrior is the emperor's last line of defence against the barbarians of Japan and beyond. Take up your sword, young Samurai! This handy manual tells you everything you need to know about maintaining the honour of the Samurai class...
'A serious yet readable history that takes the reader from the togas and tunics of early civilizations to the age of ASOS' TelegraphThis ambitious and fascinating book traces the history of fashion in every part of the world, from Greco-Roman woven-cloth clothing and the silk court dress of the Chinese Tang dynasty to contemporary sportswear designers and Japanese street culture. Organized chronologically, the book traces the evolution of fashion period by period and trend by...
Make it your own! The perfect junk journal starter kit for beginners and seasoned crafters.Looking for a fun, creative hobby? Junk this Journal is the ultimate introduction to one of TikTok's hottest craft trends. Full of prompts, imagery, and ideas to get you started, this fully customizable journal is designed for you to make every page your own. Complete your "About Me" page; write, draw, stamp, and stick whatever's on your mind; even start a fruit sticker collection! Foll...
Send mysterious messages, or decorate your journal in a unique vintage style!Organised by letter, with plenty of accents, punctuation marks, numbers and wingdings to pep up your text, this collection of over 1000 letters makes an excellent companion to The Ransom Note Sticker Book, but stands on its own equally well. Peel and spell today!
A 'genre killer' guide to the world of anime featuring 100 movies and television series, from all-time classics to cult favourites and under-the-radar gems.Anime is a vast and vibrant universe. From soot sprites to super robots, Dragon Balls to the Dragon Slayer, it's drenched in Japanese culture and overflowing with must-see megahits. For newcomers, it can be overwhelming. This book is here to help.Trust this expertly curated guide to reveal the depth, breadth and brilliance...
A unique survey of the explosion of avant-garde art in 1960s Japan.We've all heard of Paris 1968, but in Japan, a movement just as revolutionary, interesting and enduring was underway. The turbulent times of the post-war era inspired an artistic explosion in the country, with the emergence of a revolutionary scene of avant-garde artists who pioneered many disciplines: experimental and erotic photography, 'Angura' theatre and underground street performances, apocalyptic Butoh ...
'James Payne's YouTube Channel "Great Art Explained" gained a huge and appreciative worldwide audience. This beautifully put-together book is simply the best introduction to the lifelong pleasure and rewards of looking at pictures since Gombrich. An instant classic' Stephen FryArt appreciation made accessible, relevant and entertaining; writer, curator and YouTuber James Payne demystifies great works of art.Based on the popular and enormously successful YouTube channel of the...
Taking content as a guide to form, this important survey on abstract art breaks open the canon to make room for artists from across the globe.'Abstract art is always rooted in experience of the real world.' So begins art historian Pepe Karmel's exploration of the origins and evolution of abstract art. Traditional histories of the subject have concentrated on formal innovations abstraction as a sequence of 'isms' with less interest in how the art relates to the world around us...
'Banksy's legacy finally gets its due... Banksy: The Prints stands as essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how genuine creative vision can simultaneously challenge systems and work within them a lesson increasingly relevant in today's complex creative economy' Creative BoomThe first ever comprehensive catalogue of Banksy's print editions from 2002 to 2022.Banksy has been creating work for over three decades and is one of the best-known artists of our age. While ...
For cat lovers everywhere, these wonderful photographs highlight the felines who inhabit the streets of Istanbul, a city famous for its love of cats.This stunning photobook delves into the lives of the thousands of cats that roam the streets of Istanbul. The photographs show the unique personalities of these street cats, each with its own story and charm. From lounging on cobblestones and shop fronts, to perching on colourful market stalls, the cats appear in a variety of urb...
Through 70 stunning infographics and maps, this exciting and timely book looks at the borders that define our current world.There are borders that are easily crossed and borders that are entirely impassable; there are visible borders sometimes demarcated by fences, walls, flags and posts and invisible borders not seen on a physical map and oftentimes restrictive of access to targeted populations; there are land borders, maritime, political and cultural bordersPresenting 70 ca...
The first book to explore from an archaeological perspective the incredible and improbable history of our relationship with cats, from fearsome foe to purring pet.Feared, revered and respected, cats have left an indelible pawprint on the histories and civilizations of humankind. In Britain a third of all households have a cat, as of 2021, some 45 million American households owned one or more cats, making them one of the most popular pets in the world. Over the last two millio...
Dynamic stickering with an urban street style.There are complete alphabets in a variety of street art and graffiti styles including wildstyle, blockbuster, bubble, throw-up, and stencil so you can create any message you like. And for added effect you'll also find paint drips, splats and useful extras like skulls, spray cans and smiley faces.
The first illustrated book to celebrate the remarkable stories and achievements of twenty of the most daring women mountaineers from around the globe.As adventure pursuits like climbing and mountaineering continue to gain popularity on the world stage, women's visibility in the sport has also grown. Mountaineering Women is the first publication of its kind, a richly illustrated collection of the awesome and oft surprising stories that celebrate the achievements of twenty wome...
A beautifully presented survey of design and the applied arts, explored not by use, material, form or date but by colourThe V&A Book of Colour in Design is attractively simple: a celebration and exploration of colour, as revealed through objects in the world-class collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Structured by colour, it offers fascinating insights into the choices made by designers and makers from across the world and throughout history.Each chapter b...
Henri Cartier-Bresson's photography came to define the 20th century. This book tells his life story through his images: all the major events from his youth to his death in 2004 are described, contextualized and analysed in the light of his photographic work. From his early encounters with the Surrealists, his film work and his experiences in the SecondWorldWar, to the development of his own personal aesthetic, the concept of the 'decisive moment', and the foundation of Magnum...