- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: STRANGE ATTRACTOR (19 April 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1907222014
- ISBN-13: 978-1907222016
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 15.4 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 215,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Forgotten and famous at the same time, Austin Osman Spare (1886-1956) is now a cult figure, much mythologised since his death. Controversial enfant terrible of the Edwardian art world, Spare was hailed as a genius and a new Aubrey Beardsley, but instead he fell out of the West End art scene and went underground, living in poverty and obscurity in South London. Absorbed in occultism and sorcery, voyaging into inner dimensions and surrounding himself with cats and familiar spirits, he continued to produce extraordinary art while developing a magical philosophy of pleasure, obsession, and the subjective nature of reality.
This groundbreaking biographical study offers wide-ranging insights into Spare’s art, mind and world, reconnecting him with the mainstream art history that ignored him and exploring his parallel London; a bygone place of pub pianists, twentieth-century
alchemists and gigantic owls.
Richly readable and illuminating, it takes us deep into the strange inner world that this most enigmatic of artists inhabited, shedding new light while allowing just a few shadowy corners to flourish unspoiled.
This groundbreaking biographical study offers wide-ranging insights into Spare’s art, mind and world, reconnecting him with the mainstream art history that ignored him and exploring his parallel London; a bygone place of pub pianists, twentieth-century
alchemists and gigantic owls.
Richly readable and illuminating, it takes us deep into the strange inner world that this most enigmatic of artists inhabited, shedding new light while allowing just a few shadowy corners to flourish unspoiled.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ive always been fascinated by Spare's work and this book really does it justice.A fantastically well produced book.I have just got it and it is marvellous.Stuff about Spare has always come from Kenneth Grant but here we get a much more balenced, objective view of a forgotten artist.The preface by Alan Moore is very perceptive too.Its books like this that make you appreciate the industry that goes into a real book as opposed to an 'electronic device'.It is stunning.The writing is excellant too,I must add.Some comic touches and details of an obscure man's life.An excellant biography in all respects.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As already mentioned in reviews, this is a booklovers dream, for the production alone - it looks and smells and feels like a quality read. And it is of course, with such a fascinating subject to work with. Interesting, informative, magical and naughty.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An exceptionally good biography and a must-read for anyone interested in AOS. Alan Moore's introduction is also highly entertaining. I've enjoyed Baker's biographies over the years and this is a fine addition.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AOS biography
This is a very well crafted and researched biography of a greatly talented and unique artist.Anyone who loves Spares work should love this book too, it puts the art in its context... Read more
Published 2 months ago by g v tiller
Another piece in the puzzle of 20th Century British occultism
There used to be a painting in the Atlantis Bookshop, Museum Street, London. I didn't pay it much attention at the time, late 1970s, but did find it creepy. Read more
Published 3 months ago by lsur
Not a picture book.
If like me you are hoping for a monograph full of Spare's paintings and drawings then this is not it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by rwm
Excellent
This is an exquisite book about an extraordinary artist. It is one of the best books I've read in a very long time.
Published 4 months ago by A. Richardson
Gets my vote
Definitely the best biography out there. The author's feet are firmly planted on the ground, unlike most writers of the occult. Or as he puts it 'occulted' by Grant. Read more
Published 7 months ago by R. M. Farrance
Amazing biography
I loved this new biography of AOS - really places Spare within his time, and Baker has a truly wonderful grasp of the man and his art. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Roderigo
an A to Z of AOS
Fabulous book, best I've read so far, and I've read 'em all... - lots of little witchy bits that the other books on this man don't have -- and puts Kenneth Grant and his wife into... Read more
Published 11 months ago by frodo
Not so good
An AOS biography was missing for a long time and that is the main reason for buying this book ... because it is not that great. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Maria Leonor Jacinto
spare is still with us
beautiful- just so beautiful- spare has returned and i am vibrating with happiness- it is a book of great quality- thank you so much phil and mark- very happy with the special... Read more
Published 13 months ago by harrie999
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