The Art Shelf

Ateliers of Europe
John Whelan, author
Oskar Proctor, photographer
Prestel Publishing
www.prestel.com
9783791388175, $60.00, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Ateliers-Europe-Atlas-Decorative-Workshops/dp/379138= 8177

Synopsis: An atelier is the private workshop or studio of a professional ar= tist in the fine or decorative arts or an architect, where a principal mast=
er and a number of assistants, students, and apprentices can work together = producing fine art or visual art released under the master's name or superv= ision. (Wikipedia)

Beginning in the Renaissance, ateliers were established as places for Europ= ean artists to work and teach their crafts. Centuries later most of these s= paces have disappeared, but a select few continue to produce some of the wo= rld's most celebrated and sought-after objects in the areas of crystal, cer= amics, wrought iron, fabric, bookbinding, mosaic, wood paneling, and more.

John Whelan and Oskar Proctor traveled throughout Europe to document these = important spaces, both to celebrate them and to preserve their disappearing=
ideals. Ranging from the well- known to the obscure, "Ateliers of Europe: =
An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshops" takes readers inside dozens of ateli= ers from Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. = Sumptuous double-page spreads feature alluring photography, and fascinating=
background texts tell their stories.

By shining a light on their collective value as well as their individual ex= pertise, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshops " offer=
s both a historic evaluation of how ateliers have been shaped by modern for= ces -- and is also a clarion call appealing for their preservation.

Critique: A beautiful compendium of informative captioned full page, full c= olor photographs, "Ateliers of Europe: An Atlas of Decorative Arts Workshop=
s" is an impressive coffee-table style (9.81 x 0.97 x 11.31 inches, 4.19 po= unds) volume that will hold a very special appeal to students and fans of t=
he decorative arts produced in workshops of the past and present. This delu=
xe edition of "Ateliers of Europe" is a very special and highly recommended=
addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university lib= rary European Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies l= ists.

Editorial Note #1: Residing in Venice, Italy, John Whelan is a specialist i=
n heritage design and creative direction. His heritage projects include a r= evival of la brasserie francaise, France's most iconic culinary export, and=
his clients include brands such as Cire Trudon, the oldest candlemaker in = France. His work has been profiled by Architectural Digest, and Vanity Fair=
.. (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/designer-john-whelan-restores-= frances-classic-brasseries-to-their-former-glory)< br>
Editorial Note #2: Oskar Proctor (http://oskarproctor.com) is a photographe=
r specializing in still life and interior imagery. He has worked with numer= ous magazines, museums, designers, artists and publishers, including two bo= oks by Viktor Wynd published by Prestel. He lives in Kent, England.

Rediscovering Black Portraiture
Peter Brathwaite
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1682 www.getty.edu/publications
9781606068168, $40.00, HC, 168pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rediscovering-Black-Portraiture-Peter-Brathwaite/dp/= 1606068164

Synopsis: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Brathwaite ha=
s thoughtfully researched and reimagined more than one hundred artworks fea= turing portraits of Black sitters -- all posted to social media with the ca= ption "Rediscovering #blackportraiture through #gettymuseumchallenge."

"Rediscovering Black Portraiture" collects and showcases more than fifty of=
Brathwaite's most intriguing re-creations. Introduced by the author and fr= amed by contributions from experts in art history and visual culture, this = fascinating book offers a nuanced look at the complexities and challenges o=
f building identity within the African diaspora and how such forces have in= formed Black portraits over time.

The artworks featured include The Adoration of the Magi by Georges Trubert,=
Portrait of an Unknown Man by Jan Mostaert, Rice n Peas by Sonia Boyce, Ba= rack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, and many more. "Rediscovering Black Portraitur=
e" also invites readers behind the scenes, offering a glimpse of the elegan=
t artifice of Brathwaite's props, setup, and process.

An urgent and compelling exploration of embodiment, representation, and age= ncy, "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" serves to remind us that Black subje= cts have been portrayed in art for nearly a millennium and that their stori=
es demand to be told.

Critique: With each full color image being accompanied with succinctly capt= ioned information, "Rediscovering Black Portraiture" is a delight to browse=
through and instructively thought-provoking for readers with an interest i=
n Black Pop Culture Artwork and Photography. Of special note are the inform= ative contributions of Cheryl Finley, Temi Odumosu, and Mark Sealy."Redisco= vering Black Portraiture" is a unique and highly prized addition to persona=
l, professional, community, and academic library Art/Photography portraitur=
e collections.

Editorial Note #1 An exhibition of Brathwaite's re-creations is on view at = the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery in Bristol, UK from April 14 to July 23, 2= 023.

Editorial Note #2: Peter Brathwaite (https://www.peterbrathwaitebaritone.co=
m) is an acclaimed baritone who performs in operas and concerts throughout = Europe. He is a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and has been shortlisted for a Roy=
al Philharmonic Society Award.

Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World
Editorial Staff
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922754257, $16.95, HC, 96pp

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Cat-Fine-Felines-World/dp/1922754250

Synopsis: Cats have been charming us with their indifference and serving as=
artistic inspiration for as long as we have been sketching on canvas. With=
the publication of "Art Cat: Fine Felines of the Art World", the editorial=
staff of Smith Street Books offers a compendium artwork featuring cats of = the past as they peer out from paintings and sketches, frescoes and prints = across art history.

"Art Cat" is a collection of these painted felines, featuring works from ar= tists across the ages and continents. Japanese prints and German oils, Amer= ican sketches and Italian murals are all included. The work spans eras and = styles, but as different as these cats are, one thing shines through: that =
we have been obsessed with cats for far longer than the Internet.

Critique: A 'must' for anyone with a feline companion of their own, "Art Ca=
t: Fine Felines of the Art World" is a simply delightful and fascinating br= owse from beginning to end, and an unreservedly recommended addition to per= sonal reading lists and community library Animal Art and Art History collec= tions.

Kawaii Doggies
Olive Yong
Rock Point
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760379851, $21.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kawaii-Doggies-Learn-Adorable-Doodle/dp/0760379858

Synopsis: With the publication of "Kawaii Doggies: Learn to Draw over 100 A= dorable Pups in All their Glory", artist and illustrator Olive Yong shows h=
ow to draw all kinds of cute dogs doing all sorts of silly things through 7=
5 step-by-step tutorials.

Whether you are "team dog" or "team cat", dogs have idiosyncrasies that we = all find entertaining! In "Kawaii Doggies" is the follow-up and perfect com= panion to "Kawaii Kitties: Learn How to Draw 75 Cats in All Their Glory " (= 9781631067396, $21.99, PB, 144pp).

Popular Instagram artist Olive Yong perfectly captures these moments, inclu= ding playing, sleeping, eating, digging, chasing their tails, being good bu= ddies, wearing cute costumes, and more, along with how to draw your favorit=
e breeds and puppies.

In addition to the easy-to-follow tutorials, Olive shares: An introduction =
to the kawaii art aesthetic; Suggestions for drawing tools; Tips and tricks=
for drawing and coloring your dogs; A facial expression directory; Colorin=
g pages swarming with pups for you to decorate.

Critique: Fun, inspiring, and thoroughly 'user friendly' for aspiring artis=
ts and illustrators in both organization and presentation, "Kawaii Doggies:=
Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory" is a perfect DIY = instructional guide. It should be noted for personal use that "Kawaii Doggi= es: Learn to Draw over 100 Adorable Pups in All their Glory" is also availa= ble in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Olive Yong is a self-taught artist from Malaysia and the cr= eator of the popular Instagram @bichi.mao. Drawing has always been her pass= ion, and she is focusing on building the bichi.mao brand. Olive enjoys crea= ting funny and relatable short comics, quotation series, animations, and il= lustrations about cats. Part of the charm of her artwork is in its simplici= ty, making learning to draw in her style easy and fun for all ages.

Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals
Heinke Nied
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9780760383278, $14.99, PB, 96pp

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Reverse-Watercolor-creativity-delightful/dp/07= 60383278

Synopsis: :Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heinke Nied (a one-line=
artist and illustrator who considers it her mission to make art accessible=
to everyone through simple instruction and approachable one-line drawings)=
offers helpful and illustrated instructions that will enable even the most=
novice of beginning watercoloring artists draw their own lines over her ar= twork. It's satisfying, relaxing, and fun -- and packed from cover to cover=
with inspiring artwork featuring flowers, plants, abstract designs, and mo= re.

Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals features: Sturdy paper and one-sided p= ages to cut out and display; Pen and watercolor tips and techniques; Short = primers on tools and color theory; Patterns, tracings, and designs that you=
may want to use in your own artwork within the book.

Simply find relaxation and creative inspiration as you draw over the waterc= olor artwork with the drawing tool of your choice, or cut out the pages and=
use them as gifts, home decor, cards for loved ones, and more. With colorf=
ul watercolor designs to spark your creativity, your own creations will flo=
w with ease and joy.

Critique: Offering a complete course of step-by-step instruction in the use=
of watercolor as a medium, "Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" is thoro= ughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Offering hours of D=
IY watercolor painting fun, "Color in Reverse: Watercolor Florals" by Heink=
e Nied is especially recommended for personal and professional 'how- to' in= structional painting collections and as a supplemental art curriculum studi=
es textbook on the subject of watercolor designs.

Editorial Note: Heinke Nied (www.silberstolz.de) is a one-line artist, an i= llustrator, an author, and a lecturer. Since 2017, she has taught courses a=
nd workshops on writing, drawing, and painting. In 2020, she discovered her=
great passion of one-line art. Since then, she draws everything with one c= ontinuous line and especially likes to combine her motifs with watercolor o=
r lettering. Heinke considers it her mission to make this art form accessib=
le to all people through simple instructions. She also creates digital illu= strations for clients, as well as portraits using digital and watercolor to= ols. Heinke is also the author of "15-Minute Drawing: One-Line Drawing" (Wa= lter Foster Publishing).

Matthew Krishanu
Matthew Krishamu, et al.
Anomie Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781910221334, $40.00, HC, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Krishanu/dp/1910221333

Synopsis: Matthew Krishanu's paintings explore topics including childhood, = race, religion, art history, family, grief, and love. His subjects (frequen= tly non-white people, especially children) are realized with a shallow pict= orial depth, delicate washes of color, and with a sense of interior life. T= hrough this, Krishanu questions the positions of his painterly subjects and=
depictions of landscapes in relation to the legacy of European colonialism=
and the art historical canon. Krishanu's practice is heavily informed by h=
is early childhood spent in Dhaka where his parents moved in order to work = for the Church of Bangladesh.

"Matthew Krishanu", is the artist's first trade monograph and presents a nu= mber of series of Krishanu's works: Another Country, Expatriates, Mission, = House of God, Religious Workers and In Sickness and In Health. The painting=
s included have been made in oil and/or acrylic on canvas, linen or board, = with the earliest produced in 2007 and most recent completed in 2022.

The publication also features informative essays by Mark Rappolt and Doroth=
y Price, alongside an interview with the artist by Ben Luke. Rappolt, Edito= r-in-Chief at ArtReview magazine, details the various worlds present within=
Krishanu's paintings. He draws out key themes within Krishanu's oeuvre suc=
h as power, religion, identity, and memory, while highlighting its distance=
from didacticism, and at times, its carefully constructed ambivalence, thr= ough examination of key works such as Mission School (2017), Mountain Tent = (Two Boys) (2020) and Playground (2020). Price, Professor of Modern and Con= temporary Art and Visual Culture at The Courtauld, writes sensitively about=
solitude, memory, and emotion which are palpable within Krishanu's work. I=
n particular, is the series In Sickness and In Health, which traces a life = path of Uschi Gatward, the artist's late wife, over sixteen years to her un= timely death from cancer in late 2021.

The series is foregrounded as a significant and intimate body of work that = subtly shifts over the time period it depicts. In a new interview with Luke=
, a critic and editor at The Art Newspaper, Krishanu discusses his practice=
in relation to ideas of religion, race, global art history, photography, h= ealth, and personal experiences. Krishanu's work explores, in the artist's = own words, 'the puzzle of painting'.

The publication has been deftly edited by Georgia Griffiths and Matt Price.=
It has been designed by Joe Gilmore, printed and bound by EBS, Verona, and=
produced by Anomie Publishing and Niru Ratnam, London. The publication has=
been supported by Guy Halamish; Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai; Niru Ratnam,=
London; Taimur Hassan; and Tanya Leighton, Berlin and Los Angeles.

Critique: Showcasing the artwork of Matthew Krishanu, this large, hardcover=
, coffee-table style volume (290 x 245 mm) is an ideal and informative intr= oduction that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, prof= essional, community, and academic library Contemporary Art collections.

Editorial Note: Matthew Krishanu (https://matthewkrishanu.com) is based in = London. He completed an MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins in 2009. Re= cent solo exhibitions include 'Playground', Niru Ratnam (2022), 'Undercurre= nts', LGDR, New York (2022), 'Picture Plane', Niru Ratnam, London (2020), '= Arrow and Pulpit', Tanya Leighton, Berlin (2021), 'Corvus', Iniva, London (= 2019), 'A Murder of Crows', Ikon Gallery, Birmingham (2019), and 'The Sun N= ever Sets', Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, (2019). He has recently been =
in the group exhibitions 'The Kingfisher's Wing', GRIMM, New York (2022), '= Prophecy', Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre (2022), 'Mixing It Up: Paintin=
g Today', Hayward Gallery, London (2021), 'Coventry Biennial', Leamington S=
pa Art Gallery & Museum, Leamington Spa and Herbert Art Gallery & Museum (2= 021), 'John Moores Painting Prize', Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool (2021), '= Everyday Heroes', Hayward Gallery/Southbank Centre (2020) and 'A Rich Tapes= try', Lahore Biennale (2020).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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