Review by Choice Review
Inventive mixes of media, vibrant color, and occasional humor characterize Joe Brainard's intriguing art. Incredibly prolific, Brainard (1942-94) created thousands of collages, book covers, paintings, and illustrations, sometimes in collaboration with important writers such as Frank O'Hara. Yet, Brainard remains less known and less appreciated than his more avant-garde counterparts of the 1960s and 1970s. He was certainly active in this period; he participated in more than 40 group exhibits and several one-person shows until he stopped exhibiting his work in 1979. This book documents the first museum retrospective exhibition of Brainard's work organized for the University of California, Berkeley, Art Museum, by senior curator Lewallen. More than 106 works are reproduced in this colorful catalog, which also includes critical essays by Lewallen, Ratcliff, and Ashbery; bibliographies of works by and about Brainard; the artist's exhibition history; and an exhibition checklist. The section, "Why I Am a Painter," features works from Brainard's writings, interviews, and letters, and enables even greater understanding of the artist's motivations and influences. Altogether, a timely, well-conceived, and thorough presentation. Highly recommended. General readers; undergraduates through faculty. E. H. Teague University of Oregon
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
