REVIEWS

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Hand to Earth

Andy Goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy enjoys an international reputation as one of the most remarkable sculptors working in the landscape in the world today. This beautifully produced, highly praised and readable retrospective survey of his early work covers the fourteen years between 1976 and 1990. It embraces not only his ephemeral works – represented by photographs, including those made in France and at the North Pole – but also his earliest permanent sculptures constructed of stone and earth, as well as drawings for monumental sculpture projects in the landscape.

HB 196pp. $90.00
 

Contemporary Quilts: Design, Surface & Stitch

Sandra Meech

In Contemporary Quilts: Design, Surface & Stitch, leading textile artist Sandra Meech outlines her approach to quilt design, showing how to break free from traditional geometric or symmetrical block design and create something unique and personal. Her innovative methods will help to build confidence in the quilter who already knows basic sewing techniques but wants to develop their own creativity. The book takes the form of a progression from source of inspiration to final piecing and stitch decisions, with valuable information at each stage.

HB 128pp. $39.95
 

Fibre Arts Design Book 7

Susan Mowery Kieffer

Finally, the seventh book in the series celebrating the diversity and excellence of fibre artistry today. Highly anticipated, this beautifully photographed collection showcases more than 500 designs by textile artists from 24 countries. A must have for the collection.

HB 224pp. $49.95
 

Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery

Maggie Grey

Lavishly illustrated with over 100 colour photographs, Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery covers an amazing array of new techniques for creating spectacular creative embroideries. Written by Maggie Grey, one of the leading artists in the field, this book is a virtual treasure trove, featuring full details on producing backgrounds, raising the surface a little to produce highly textured, low-relief embroideries, then moving on to using applied motifs for high relief textiles. It also covers frames, masks and high-relief panels and concludes with three-dimensional constructions, such as bowls, vessels and towers. Highly recommended.

HB 128pp. $39.95
 

Maggie's Ireland: Designer Knits on Location

Maggie Jackson

In this beautifully produced book, featuring more than 40 projects, Maggie Jackson brings a fashion designer's approach to hand-knits and new life to the Irish love of pattern and texture. There are pieces suited to every season and every shape, taking knitters from the beach to the ballroom. Highlighting each design are spectacular photographs from famous locations throughout Northern Ireland. Two parts knitting book, one part travelogue, this book has to be one of the most gorgeous knitting books released to date.

HC 174pp $69.95
 

Making Kumihimo: Japanese Interlaced Braids.

Rodrick Owen

In this original and fascinating title, Rodrick Owen uses his years of experience to unlock the secrets of the closely guarded world of the Takadai - the form of Kumihimo in which single- and double-layered flat braids with a plain weave and twill structure are made using a high-stand frame. Illustrated with more than 150 photographs, 70 charts and 65 illustrations, Making Kumihimo is an ideal gateway for anyone wishing to know more about this ancient and beautiful style of braiding. The author’s step-by-step instructions have been developed to make the designs easily accessible, and the contents serve as an excellent and comprehensive introduction to the art.

HC 192pp $39.95
 

Chinese Silk

Shelagh Vainker

Silk is one of China’s major contributions to world civilization, the secrets of its cultivation closely guarded for generations. In her new book Shelagh Vainker traces the cultural history of silk in China from its Neolithic origins to the twentieth century, considering its role in Chinese history, trade, religion, and literature as well as its relationship to the other decorative arts. Drawing on the most recent archaeological evidence from less perishable media such as jades, bronzes and ceramics along with paintings, poems, and other texts she brings together a wide range of material including some sources available until now only in Chinese.

HC 224pp $90.00
 

What's Wrong With Contemporary Art?

Peter Timms

In this provocative book, Peter Timms asks confronting questions. Why is contemporary art so in thrall to spruikers and promoters, and why do their extravagant claims so rarely match the reality? Why does the market have such power, and how does it dictate the sort of art we are allowed to see? Why are art schools, museums and the media apparently so eager to fall in line with commercial expectations? Making no claim to neutrality, Timms sets out to describe and examine the serious problems he perceives in the way contemporary art is packaged, promoted and received.

PB 184pp $29.95
 

Unexpected Knitting

Debbie New

Unexpected Knitting is a landmark in knitting publications. A gorgeously presented and lavishly illustrated book by an extraordinary talent, it raises the stakes on all types of knitting and opens up countless possibilities. Whether it is her knitted garments, sculptural knits, or her lace coracle boat (!) this book is guaranteed to inspire and amaze even the most accomplished knitter.

HC 248pp $75.00
 

TRADITIONAL TEXTILES OF CAMBODIA:

Cultural Threads & Material Heritage.

Gillian Green

Lavishly illustrated with 330 colour images, including pictures of antique textiles held in both private collections and public institutions, this attractive volume is the first to document and explain the Cambodian cultures’ rich textile and costume traditions. Put together by Gillian Green, an authority in the field, it records the place of textiles in the country's culture and history in wonderful detail. A must have for collectors, curators, travelers, textile artists and aficionados.

HC 320pp $99.00
 

RALLI QUILTS: Traditional Textiles from Pakistan & India.

Patricia Ormsby Stoddard

This carefully researched book tells the story of a fascinating quilting tradition found in southern Pakistan and neighbouring western India. These quilts, known as ralli, are stunning in their designs, brilliant in their colours, and intriguing in their history. Showcased in this book are more than 130 stunning ralli quilts that feature a wondrous array of designs and patterns which have been passed from mother to daughter and woman to woman for hundreds of years. A valuable reference for textile historians, designers and quilt lovers everywhere.

PB 179pp $75.00
 

FASHION NOW: i-D Selects the World’s 150 Most Important Designers

Ed: Terry jones & Avril Mair

Fashion Now is the first comprehensive anthology of contemporary fashion. Compiled by the editors of seminal fashion and style magazine i-D, this lovingly presented book features the work of the world’s 150 most important designers, focusing not only on the biggest names but also the most exciting new talents. A wonderful resource for students, designers and the fashion conscious.

PB 640pp $85.00
 

The Cambridge History of Western Textiles
(2 Volume Boxed Set)

by David Jenkins

The Cambridge History of Western Textiles brings together and extends current knowledge on the production and uses of textiles, through the eyes of archaeologists, economic and social historians, historians of fashion and the history of dress, and museum curators familiar with surviving artifacts. The history of all the major textile industries, including wool, linen, silk, cotton and artificial fibres are explored. Processes and technical terms are explained carefully, while the role and impact of textiles in western economies and societies are examined. In sum, the book offers an authoritative account of three thousand years of the production and consumption of textiles in the western world.

HC $599.00
 

Fine Art Metal Casting: An Illustrated Guide to Mould Making and Lost Wax Processes

by Richard Rome & Hamish Young

Fine Art Metal Casting is the first truly comprehensive and up-to-date guide to mould making and fine art lost wax casting. The methods described cover a broad range of disciplines including sculpture, ceramics and glass, through to jewellery and areas of conservation, archaeology and palaeontology where replicas must be made. This book, which is accessible to practitioners of all levels of knowledge and experience, provides a unique, all-encompassing, visually based demonstrative source which will prove invaluable for art-, craft- and design-based practitioners, art historians and curators, scientists and conservators, and researchers and students.

HC $375.00
 

Moroccan Textile Embroidery

by Isabella Denamur

Featuring more than 250 stunning photographs of richly textured embroideries, Moroccan Textile Embroidery chronicles the lives of generations of Moroccan women and the textiles styles that reflect Morocco’s geographical heritage of the African, Mediterranean and European worlds. The patterns featured range from basic geometric shapes to Arabesques, flowers, foliage and traceries. An absolutely exquisite book.

HC $120.00
 

Kaffe Fassett’s Pattern Library

by Kaffe Fassett

A truly inspirational book for knitters of all ages and skill levels. Featuring strikingly beautiful colour combinations and designs this collection brings together 190 patterns from over the 30 years of Fassett’s career. With easy to follow illustrated instructions and colour charts this title is sure to inspire and offer new possibilities for even the most experienced knitter.

HC $69.95
 

Sari to Sarong

Drawn from the National Gallery of Australia’s famous Asian textiles collection, Sari to Sarong brings together some of the greatest surviving examples of traditional Indian and Indonesian textiles to demonstrate the remarkable exchanges of ideas, materials, designs, and imagery between the two great cultures over the last 1000 years. The publication shows not only the great variety and beauty of the cloths but also the many sources of inspiration carried across the Indian Ocean by sailors, explorers, merchants and warriors.

PB $69.00
 

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