American Art Tapes:: Voices of Twentieth-Century Art

John Jones moved to the US in 1965 with his family to interview 100 artists and became the foremost expert on the art of the period in the UK. This book presents edited conversations with American artists practicing in 1965-6, exploring the range of contrasting ideas behind Pop Art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2021
Publisher: Tate Publishing

British artist and university lecturer John Jones embarked on an extraordinary journey in 1965, leaving the UK with his wife and daughters to reside in the United States for a year. Their purpose was to conduct extensive interviews with approximately 100 artists, seeking to explore the vibrant art scene of the time. During their stay in Greenwich Village, the family embarked on a three-month road trip west, venturing beyond the immediate reach of New York to visit artists in remote locations.

Among the artists they encountered, John Jones forged personal friendships with notable figures such as Yoko Ono and Claes Oldenberg. The experiences and memories of this trans-American adventure left a lasting impression on Jones's daughter, Nicolette, who has now published this book for the first time.

The book presents a captivating selection of edited conversations with American artists practicing in 1965-6, offering a unique insight into the artistic landscape of that era. A foreword by Nicolette Jones provides valuable context, situating these interviews within the historical setting of the 1960s. Additionally, an introduction amalgamated from Jones's lectures further illuminates and explores the diverse range of ideas that contributed to the emergence of Pop Art.

Thanks to his deep personal connections with the artists and his comprehensive knowledge of their work, John Jones emerged as the foremost expert on the art of this period in the UK. Rather than relying on art critics' perspectives, this book presents art through the voices of the practitioners themselves, offering a refreshing and authentic perspective.

Jones's interviews delve into a specific place and time: the United States in the 1960s. They are an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand the decade, the profound influence of American art on British tradition, and the famous figures of the time. Moreover, these conversations shed light on the thought processes that gave rise.

Weight: 754g
Dimension: 246 x 300 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849767576