This is a large, heavy, coffee table book that is explosively colourful, vibrant, controversial, provocative and at times confronting.
Abigail Crompton, Artistic Director and Founder of Third Drawer Down is submerged in the art world after studying art at university. A broken arm was the catalyst for the creation of Third Drawer Down. Since 2003, Crompton has dedicated her life to working with artists to make art accessible. Third Drawer Down (est. 2003) is an innovative design studio whose mission is to make art affordable, accessible and a part of the everyday. The studio has collaborated with more than 200 artists from around the world and creates memorable products for global institutions.
TRUTH BOMB is a fabulous celebration of trailblazing contemporary women artists in their diversity and use of various media( painting, textiles, video, radio, collages, sculpture… )Taboos are ignored, there is strong language at times and feminist issues are explored. Defiantly insisting on being noticed, women’s power, skill as artists and gender issues are highlit. The female body is celebrated, both nude and clothed, as is the female gaze on the male body.
After an inspiring introduction by Crompton it is divided into six chapters, each of which starts ‘A Truth Bomb is…. “ and then looks at the work of various artists with luminous examples of their work along with important quotes and sometimes inclusion of two pages (or more) spreads of an article/interview about the artist. There is a great table of contents at the front, with short artist biographies (and those of contributors ) at the back as well as a list of image credits.
A large range of female artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Judy Chicago, Mickalene Thomas, Miranda July, Yayoi Kusama, (the highest-selling living female artist ! ), and The Guerrilla Girls are all featured with examples of their works and artist statements defining their work. Compton also includes information about various artist’s work processes, and sometimes facets of their personal lives – their perspective on life, passions and habits are analyzed giving a frame of reference to their work.
The coverage is global, but Australian artists are well represented including Minna Gilligan, Beci Orpin, Anastasia Klose, France Cannon, Kaylene Whiskey, Del Kathryn Barton, Kushana Bush, and Patricia Piccinini.
The reader learns how the artist’s lives unveil tales of loss, perseverance, and determined persistence. Stories of joy and sadness, passion and fury, life and death are celebrated. Authority, ardor, misogyny and bigotry are exposed using depictions of dealing with mental health, popular culture and acerbic wit: they are not shy and defiantly want to make their mark.
For some of the artists a series within their oeuvre is discussed (eg Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party 1974-1979) or Miriam Elia’s 2015 book We Go to the Gallery. The Guerilla Girl’s feminist challenge Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get into the Met. Museum? (1989),is also featured.
In her comic strip-like paintings of synthetic polymer paint on linen, Whiskey uses pop culture icons such as Superwoman, Dolly Parton and Tina Turner to tell Songline stories ( eg The Seven Sisters) but with a twist, blending them with traditional Indigenous mark making and symbols.
Kusama’s Late-Night Chat is Filled with Dreams (2009, acrylic on canvas) is included – a strange, Surrealist like dreamscape with sea creatures.
For anyone interested in contemporary art by women artists this is a must. Run. Grab this book now.
Author: Abigail Crompton
Publisher Thames and Hudson, 2020
208 pp.
$34.95
Categories: Visual arts, Women,
ISBN 9781760274
Featured image : Kaylene Whiskey; Seven Sistas, Courtesy of the artist and Iwantja Arts (c) Kaylene Whiskey.