Agnes Martin : paintings, writings, remembrances
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references.

Agnes Martin's career spanned over seven decades. Though a major influence on Minimalist painters, Martin saw her own work, more closely related to Abstract Expressionism, her paintings being 'meditations on innocence, beauty, happiness and love.' More than 150 of Martin's paintings present the full extent of her artistic career, and her own words explain how they were inspired by ideas on love, joy, beauty, humility, solitude, perfection, 'freedom from the cares of this world', destiny and the nature of existence. Martin's writings are fascinatingly direct in explaining her philosophies on art and on the themes of life that inspire her paintings and drawings, and facsimilies presenting her words in her own handwriting intimately convey her thoughts. The artist's works and writings are here introduced by art dealer and film director, Arne Glimcher, who represented the artist for most of her career and was a good friend. He opens the book with reminiscences of working with Martin and how her art developed during her life, and later in the book are notes on visits he made to Martin's studio and home in New Mexico. With beautifully accurate reproductions of Martin's works, and foldouts to show her series as groups, as well as the comprehensive presentation of works and writings, this luxurious book is unprecedented: a uniquely full and intimate celebration of the artist.