Vitamin P is an image-heavy book offering an overview of the state of painting today, and documents the most recent concerns and ideas among contemporary painters. In the wake of new media such as installation, video, performance and digital art, the traditional medium of painting has enjoyed a renaissance among a recent generation of artists. Alongside the evergrowing reputation of significant living painters such as Gerhard Richter, Agnes Martin and Peter Halley, many younger artists have chosen painting over any other medium, and are exploring new means to broaden the traditional field of "oil on canvas". It is this younger generation (who emerged in the 1990s) that Vitamin P aims to represent in an A-Z survey of 114 of its leading, new, international practitioners, with each artist illustrated by numerous examples of his or her works, accompanied by a short explanatory text. Often moving beyond the most traditional image associated with this medium, Vitamin P hopes to illustrate the richness, eclecticism, dynamism and contemporaneity of the practice of painting today. Barry Schwabsky's introductory text offers a critical survey of the evolution of painting since the late 1950's
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"... the most lavish, comprehensive and useful guide to the new painting." Art Monthly "... a handsome, dazzlingly produced art book.... Vitamin P is better than a biennial, a convincing show of painting's continuing ability to reinvent itself..." Vogue "[Vitamin P] demonstrates the continual reinvention and expansion of painting, be it abstract, figurative or some new hybrid.... This informative, visually striking volume is an up-to-date guide to today's painting." Art in America "[Vitamin P] provides unusual depth for a survey of this scope.... Barry Schwabsky's perceptive introductory essay provides an excellent map of how we got here..." Flash Art "Vitamin P offers heaping servings of some of the liveliest, occasionally strangest work in painting today, accompanied by images that are stunningly printed and laid out.... Vitamin P should be in every library where contemporary art is a matter of interest or even dispute." Artnews "Forget C, D and E - P is the only supplement you'll ever need." Art Review"
About the Author
Barry Schwabsky is a regular editor and contributor to Artforum magazine, and has worked as an editor and contributor to various other contemporary art magazines for many years. In his writing and criticism, painting is often privileged over other art mediums and young painters do often attract his attention. He contributed to Phaidon's Jessica Stockholder in the Contemporary Artists series in 1995. He has taught at the Yale School of Art and at New York University among other institutions. He lives in London, where he is Visiting Lecturer at the Goldsmiths College. About 30 international authors have written the entries on the 114 artists. Critics, curators, journalists, these authors have been chosen for their knowledge of contemporary art and painting.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Jay
Format:Paperback
Summary : a fantastic resource illustrating and discussing a huge range of contemporary paintings, painting styles and painters
Reviewer : aging fine art student
I love this book and refer to it constantly. It is a treasure trove of images with comprehensive information about each painter and her or his work. The narratives, contributed by international artists, critics, curators and academics, cover influences and statements about the paintings as well as biographical information.
It's definitely a fairly detailed reference work rather than a coffee table book (if you want something to leave open looking trendy and knowledgeable something like Hoptman's 'Eight Propositions' might be a better buy). As a large, thick, heavy paperback I find it doesn't lie open well. The text is dense in a tiny font, making it quite difficult to browse, although the layout is attractive and the images large and very well reproduced.
I put off getting this for some time wanting to make sure that the books that I bought were those that I would enjoy and use regularly. I find that I go back to it several times a day at the moment for themes, research, techniques and the language of the current art scene. Sounds like its time I got a new book - but this really is a seminal work and exceptional value for money.
Reviewer : aging fine art student
I love this book and refer to it constantly. It is a treasure trove of images with comprehensive information about each painter and her or his work. The narratives, contributed by international artists, critics, curators and academics, cover influences and statements about the paintings as well as biographical information.
It's definitely a fairly detailed reference work rather than a coffee table book (if you want something to leave open looking trendy and knowledgeable something like Hoptman's 'Eight Propositions' might be a better buy). As a large, thick, heavy paperback I find it doesn't lie open well. The text is dense in a tiny font, making it quite difficult to browse, although the layout is attractive and the images large and very well reproduced.
I put off getting this for some time wanting to make sure that the books that I bought were those that I would enjoy and use regularly. I find that I go back to it several times a day at the moment for themes, research, techniques and the language of the current art scene. Sounds like its time I got a new book - but this really is a seminal work and exceptional value for money.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By nigel7738
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one huge illustrative book with fantastic quality paper and illustrations of contemporary art work. If you are an art student - it is invaluable to your course work and wish I had gotten it years ago as a fantasic reference and resource for my work. As an art admirer for modern art it again is fantastic. I have had this book a year and I am still as fascinated by its contents as I was when I first got it... when my own imagination runs dry I refer to this book just to inspire me with techniques colours ideas.... it sparks the fire and passion of art. If you are looking for classical art in here forget it... its contemporary fine art. But what a wide range of styles and artists. The only criticism I would make is the very small font they have printed in and in soft grey or red - on white paper it is a demon to read! For all ages too... they all say they have difficulty reading it themselves [young teen agers that is] I actually bought a magnifying glass so I could read it - which is no problem because it has worked out to be an amazing peice of kit all round the home. This book is permanent on my coffee table or bedside cabinet. The price is amazing for the quality of paper and printing of colours because I have been lucky to have seen some of the paintings in exhibitions and they are as true as they can be... wonderful art book. Money well spent for an art student.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Vitamin P is an absolutely brilliant visual reference of lots of new work out there in the wold of new painting. Essential reading for any Art students for references, ideas and stimulation. Small amount of biography on each artist, which could be more expansive about technique but generally great as it's so varied. Real bargain too for such a big book with great quality images.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Too narrowminded
Hardly any work that can be defined as contemporary realistic painting is to be found in this book.
Yet today, realistic portraiture, landscape and scenery paintings remain... Read more
Yet today, realistic portraiture, landscape and scenery paintings remain... Read more
Published 2 months ago by JohanDerycke
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed!
Yes great pics but you can't read the text! A comfortable font is 12 point - I think this must be about 6. The designer should be shot! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sally
5.0 out of 5 stars
The only contemporary painting book needed.
the pages are clean cut, and the information is clear. Apart from the fact that this isn't hardback, this book is constantly in regular use. Read more
Published on 19 May 2010 by Aimee Walker
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