Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Among the most prominent women artists of the past half century, Nancy Spero (1926-2009) created a body of work of astonishing emotional range, from fierce anger, directed against war and sexism, to joyful sexual release. Working in isolation for decades, she was a central figure in the rise of women artists that transformed international art in the 1970s and '80s before gaining international recognition in her final two decades. Each of her extended series is extensively illustrated, including the Couples and War Series of the 1960s, works based on writings of Antonin Artaud, word and image scrolls of the 1970s, and the increasingly colourful multi-panel works and installations of the second half of her career. The book explores her artistic thought and describes the innovative techniques she developed, including the creation of a stock companyA" of stamped figures of women. Sumptuously illustrated, this book showcases Spero's most magnificent works and includes gate-fold presentations of the artist's signature scrolls and a mosaic mural she created for the New York City subway station at Lincoln Center. This powerful and beautiful volume is an essential reference for one of contemporary art's most original and compelling figures.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This large-format, beautifully designed book is about the art and life of Nancy Spero. The book is organized by series, describing the changes in concept, imagery, and techniques that Spero made as she moved from one series to another. Although the title leads one to believe the book is only about her work, Lyon (independent scholar) aptly describes how Spero's life is intricately tied to the work. Spero attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, married fellow artist Leon Golub, lived in Paris and Bloomington, Indiana, and then settled in New York City in the mid-1960s. There she became involved in the feminist movement and from then on used only women's imagery. In the 1970s, words became integral to her work. In the 1980s, her health influenced her work as she moved from painting to letterpress and printing techniques while using assistants to create her often large and site-specific work. The book contains a generous number of color illustrations, with two gatefolds of her large frieze installations. The only thing lacking in this exceptional book is a time line of Spero's life and accomplishments. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers. A. Calluori Holcombe University of Florida

Author notes provided by Syndetics

CHRISTOPHER LYON's writing on art has appeared in many publications, including Artforum and Art in America. He is a co-author of The Art and Spirit of Paris. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.