About The Rose: Creation and Community in Jay DeFeo's Circle

Elizabeth Ferrell's book explores the creative exchange that developed with and around Jay DeFeo's The Rose, a monumental painting from 1958 to 1966. It illustrates how the painting became a stage for experimentation with authorship and community, defying traditional definitions of collaboration and creating alternatives to Cold War America's political and artistic binaries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

A captivating exploration of the intricate web of artistic connections that emerged from the singularly generative work of art, The Rose, emerges through the meticulous archival research and insightful analysis of Elizabeth Ferrell. Delving into the rich tapestry of creativity that flourished with and around this monumental painting, which was the focal point of artistic activity within the vibrant Fillmore District of San Francisco, Ferrell unveils the profound creative exchange that unfolded.

From its early stages to its eventual removal from the artist's studio, The Rose served as a catalyst for artistic collaboration, drawing in a diverse array of artists. Figures such as Wallace Berman, Bruce Conner, Wally Hedrick, and Michael McClure each embraced The Rose in their photographs, films, paintings, and poetry, sparking a reciprocal exchange of ideas. DeFeo, in turn, took these artistic contributions as a foundation and built upon them, creating a dynamic dialogue that transcended traditional notions of collaboration.

Through a combination of archival photographs, personal correspondence, and the artworks themselves, Ferrell's book vividly chronicles the journey of The Rose. It reveals how this painting became a platform for experimentation with authorship and community, challenging the rigid boundaries of collaboration and offering alternative perspectives to the political and artistic binaries prevalent during the Cold War era in America.

The Rose stands as a testament to the power of artistic exchange and the transformative potential of collaboration. It serves as a reminder that art can transcend boundaries, connect people from different backgrounds, and inspire new ways of thinking and creating. Elizabeth Ferrell's insightful exploration of this remarkable painting offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the artistic landscape and the enduring impact of creative collaboration.

Weight: 988g
Dimension: 262 x 187 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300256529