No comments about The Kris: The Mystical Sword of the Malays (Images of Asia).

No comments about Art & Expression of the Netsilik.

2 comments about Oceanic Art.

1. This massive, oversize, extremely weighty and well-made (Made In Italy) book is a very broad survey of so-called Oceanic Art. This genre may be defined geographically as that area surrounding and surrounded by the Southern Pacific Ocean stretching from Irian Jaya (Indonesian Half of New Guinea), the Northern and Eastern coast of Australia stretching down to New Zealand, as far East as the Easter Islands and up North and West to the Sandwich Islands, and all of the vast number of islands that dot the surface of the ocean in between.
   This is then, obviously, a huge undertaking and explains the sheer mass of this publication (along with the fact that the book's text is printed in the French, German and English languages). It also makes it inevitable that some very worthy objects will be left out or overlooked. I'll get to that but first would like to praise the author for having the foresight to place objects in the context of their cultural use, discuss the native flora and fauna (there is even a section dedicated to the ubiquitous betel nut) that go into the artwork (literally and figuratively), describe and explain the religious or secular significance of certain objects and speculate upon probable ancient migration patterns which peopled the region. There is much information here that I am certain you will be exposed to for the first time, and there is a surfeit of excellent photographic reproductions of objects and the people who created them. Because of the large scope of this survey it is likely that you will need to come back to it time and again as you make your way through the various island 'nations'. You may also wonder if, for the same reason, this book has missed anything. I think it has. For instance, I was a little disappointed to see no so-called 'Story Board' carvings from the Palau Islands. These are, as the name implies, carved pictorial representations of local legends, typically done in a single frame on a hand-carved board as long as four feet, and one foot high. There is probably a good reason for this omission, but it causes me to wonder if there are not more categories, knife sheaths, for instance, that were also left out. Still, one must trust the editorial judgment of the author if for no other reason than the overall quality of the book's content is so high that concern over possible ommissions somewhat recede into the background. At present, this book is available right here on Amazon for a ridiculously low price below the issue price. I strongly encourage anyone who collects art books to purchase this, as well as anyone who studies or is interested in the islands, people and cultures of the South Pacific, and anyone who collects books with an eye toward re-selling them for a profit as I predict that this book is one that goes into the 'rare' book category within a year or two.



2. Want to refresh your eyes amongst the visual boredom of thecity landscape? Feel like having a non-occidental approach tofigurative arts and religion? Then read this book and find the amazing collection of photographs along with a concise and effective study on representative arts in Oceania by Anthony J.P. Meyer. This edition could well be recommended as an obligatory visual encyclopedia for anyone who has read studies on art, magic and religion like that of Mircea Eliade on shamanism or J.G. Frazer's Golden Bough. As a visual artist I consider that this carefully selected collection of images is a golden mine until the present day for all creative person, like it was for cubist and surrealists long decades ago. Find a brilliant example of art and tradition that has given European painting and sculpture a new vitality and a wider perspective on Man. Sit back and enjoy a lavish design and a trustworthy source of info on Oceanic art for the demanding reader.

1 comments about Margit Kovács.

1. Margit Kovács (1902-1977), ceramist and sculptor, was one of the leading figures of modern ceramics. She was among those who, in the spirit of the applied arts, helped win acceptance for ceramics in Hungary. Her art is characteristically Hungarian. Her oeuvre is significant in every branch of ceramics: figures, plates and pitchers, tiles, murals and reliefs came from under her hands in abundance. The upswing curve of her career - marked by repeated successes and acknowledgement both at home and abroad - was unbroken until her death.
   
   Ilona Pataky-Brestlanszky is an art historian on the staff of the Hungarian National Gallery, and the author of numerous studies. Her book is written with great care to detail and is based on decades of research, The chronological picture of Margit Kovács's career analyses the major influences on the artist. From the art of the past, her formalistic solutions have incorporated the piety of midieval miniatures, the naivete of the icons of the East Orthodox churches and of the statues of the rustic altars of Baroque churches as well as the riches of Persian miniatures and the decorative riches of the art of the Hungarian people.
   
   The volume contains 65 colour plates and 147 black-and-white photographs.
   --- from book's dustjacket

1 comments about Sculpture, Form and Philosophy: The Notebooks of Alexander G. Weygers.

1. Its rare to see a sculptor's notebooks, & this is a great read. He doesn't waffle endlessly, and what he does say succinctly will teach you plenty and he draws very clear diagrams. the book is also printed very nicely, large size, black n white. he talks about form, studios, techniques, tool choices, all sorts of things. explains several of his own works & the techniques he used. the section on anatomy is only a few pages at the end but packed with invaluable info. i'm very glad i have this book. the only downside is that there are not many photos of the finished works he did (though he's drawn beaut pictures). still, i guess it'd be easy to find photos on the net & i'd rather have his explanations & drawings in his own notebook. recommended for sculptors who want to learn trad techniques and/or do figurative stuff.

No comments about Henry Moore: Complete Sculpture : Sculpture 1980-86 (Henry Moore Complete Sculpture) (Henry Moore Complete Sculpture) (Henry Moore Complete Sculpture).

No comments about Brancusi's Birds.

No comments about Carved Histories: Rotorua Ngati Tarawhai Carving.

No comments about The Sacred Sculpture of Thailand: The Alexander B. Griswold Collection, the Walters Art Gallery.

1 comments about Ceramica y Cultura: The Story of Spanish and Mexican May�lica.

1. This book is one of the most complete sources on this ceramic ware, which came from Spain with the Conquest and continues today in the center of Mexico.