Win a copy of  “Meret Oppenheim” coffee table book! (retailing on Amazon at £55)

21st January 2018

Just leave a comment below and tell us who is your favourite all time artist or sculptor! Do this by midnight, Saturday, 3rd February and the first name out of the hat on Sunday 4th February will win a copy of this stunning book, charting the life of Swiss artist, Meret Oppenheim.

“Works in dialogue from Max Ernst to Mona Hatoum“

In 2017 MASI (Museo d’Arte Della Svizzera) in Lugano held a retrospective of the Swiss artist Meret Oppenheim (1913-85) and this volume is the accompanying catalogue – but it is so much more than a mere catalogue.

Having studied art history, her name was certainly on the periphery of my knowledge but I knew little about her or her work before opening this book.

The book is a compilation of the influences on her work, her work itself and reflections by people who knew her. It is very detailed and will certainly offer an insight into her oeuvre and life – the depressions that plagued her, the effect of the war years and the relationships she had with fellow artists.

She was considered a prodigal daughter of the world of Dada and Surrealism, a woman in a world dominated by male artists, who had to forge her way into a society so unaccustomed to female flair. The exhibition, along with this book, aimed to place her within the context of her era, surround by the contemporary stars of the art world – Alberto Giacometti, Max Ernst and Marcel Duchamp. As you read, you will even discover what a “dross” party is!

Her artistic expression is singular, it could be destructive – indeed she destroyed some of her own artworks as did Giacometti. She was an artist struggling with her demons, creating her own tumultuous works in uncertain times.

The book is a sumptuous work that will grace any coffee table, with more than enough content for the reader to familiarise himself/herself with her work and art. There are beautiful images of her sculptures, paintings and photos which give an excellent overview. At times the English can be a little stilted which indicates the pieces have either been translated or have been written by some contributors whose English is not their mother tongue. But this is really a minor quibble when contemplating such a comprehensive and well-produced book.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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