Pre-order a signed edition for 9 May
British artist Ptolemy Mann’s studio practice bridges weaving and painting, creating distinctive, refined and radiant wall-based work, often on a large scale. Her early work was focused on weaving and she then turned to painting, later combining the two to paint directly onto her hand-woven pieces. The results are simultaneously linear and gestural, meditative and vibrant.
Focusing on the past decade, Thread Painting features over 140 stunning, full-colour images of these three phases in Mann’s artistic career, and is her first published monograph. In an introduction, Ann Coxon, curator of international art at Tate Modern, explores the relationships between dye, thread, paper, paint and time in Mann’s work, while considering her place within the history of textile art. Arts critic and author Chloë Ashby charts a significant period in Mann’s life when, approaching her forty-fifth birthday, she made the decision to channel her energy into making abstract paintings alongside her weaving practice. A conversation between Mann and childhood friend, artist and stage designer Es Devlin sheds light on Mann’s early influences, including her family, film and literature, and includes an in-depth discussion of her meticulous process.
At the heart of Mann’s work is a deep respect for the crafts of weaving and painting. Through her innovative technique of thread painting, she challenges the viewer to consider, what is a painting? The book is a celebration of Mann’s unique practice during a fascinating decade of artistic output.
Details
Text by Ann Coxon, Chloë Ashby, Ptolemy Mann and Es Delvin
Design by Laura Mingozzi-Marsh
30 x 23.5 cm, portrait
Extent: 260pp
Hardback
145 illustrations
Published by Hurtwood Press
Ptolemy Mann (b. 1972) is an artist based in East Sussex, UK, who creates paintings and hand-dyed and woven artworks underpinned by intelligent colour theory. She describes her large-scale, emotive work as flirting with the dynamics of restriction, control and spontaneity. Mann studied at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, where she explored the possibilities of her chosen materials. Mann lectures regularly, writes for the magazine Selvedge, curates and has received three grants from the Arts Council of England. She is represented by Taste Contemporary in Geneva, Gallery Lau in Munich and Findlay Galleries in the USA.
Item will be shipped from 9 May using Royal Mail.
Please be aware that customers in the EU may be liable for local taxes upon receiving this item.
If your product arrives damaged please contact us at [email protected] with images of the damaged item. We will then offer you an exchange or full refund.
Unfortunately we cannot offer an exchange or refund for other reasons.