The book, which is set out on a year-by-year basis, also examines key conferences, exhibitions, galleries, magazines, organizations and critics; art theory and the various views of artists and critics meant that the 1970s was a decade of intellectual ferment.

From the Author
Compared to the 1960s, the 1970s is a neglected decade. Left Shift is a history of radical political art in Britain during the 1970s, art that sought to re-establish a social purpose. It argues that what was unique about the visual fine art of the decade was the impact of left-wing politics, women’s liberation and the gay movement. Artists discussed include: Rasheed Araeen, Conrad and Terry Atkinson, Art & Language, Joseph Beuys, Derek Boshier, Stuart Brisley, Victor Burgin, John Dugger, Gilbert & George, Margaret Harrison, Derek Jarman, John Latham, Mary Kelly, Bruce McLean, David Medalla, Jamie Reid, Jo Spence, John Stezaker and Stephen Willats who responded to the historical events of a period marked by economic and political crises. A wide variety of art forms are discussed: banners, drawing, film, community murals, painting, performance, photography, photomontage, posters, sculpture and video. Many of the radical artists challenged the art institutions of!
the time, such as the Arts Council, and they often established alternatives, such as the Artists’ Union. Key conferences, exhibitions, galleries, magazines, organisations and critics are also considered. Developments in theory and the different views of artists and critics meant that the 1970s was a decade of intellectual ferment. The book, organised on a year-by-year basis to reveal how the events of the decade unfolded, is an account of the struggle for art by contending factions in the British art world. There are 33 black and white illustrations. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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