Richard Prince: New Paintings

An artist's book of "social science fiction" featuring new work and writing by Richard Prince. The book combines a monograph of new artworks with an expansive written statement on art history, personal biography, and the contemporary impulse to create self-images. The New Paintings series focuses on portraits of painters painting on Instagram, often with back to the camera and facing away from the viewer, resulting in ambiguously manipulated images with dense "Bird Talk" text. The book is self-described as an act of "social science fiction."

Format: Hardback
Length: 377 pages
Publication date: 13 September 2022
Publisher: Fulton Ryder

Richard Prince, a renowned artist, has released an artist's book titled "Social Science Fiction," which showcases his latest artwork and writing. This captivating publication serves as a comprehensive monograph, presenting a diverse range of new artworks alongside an expansive written exploration of art history, personal biography, and the contemporary drive to create self-images.

Upon first glance, the New Paintings series appears to share a similar aesthetic with Prince's earlier New Portraits. However, there is a notable distinction in the focus of the New Paintings. Instead of depicting portraits of individuals, these artworks primarily feature portraits of painters engaging in the act of painting on Instagram. Frequently, these painters are depicted with their backs to the camera, facing away from the viewer. The resulting images are intriguingly manipulated, creating a sense of ambiguity and intrigue.

Prince has self-described this series as an act of "social science fiction," emphasizing its imaginative and speculative nature. The image captions, which are integral to the artwork, contain a rich and intricate "Bird Talk" text. This text encompasses a diverse range of topics, including ambiguous autobiography, art history commentary, and philosophical musings. Joan Katz, in a comment found within a New Painting, provides some insight into the underlying themes of the series, stating:

"Deep Nostalgia. Legitimate Doubts. Safeguards to prevent misuse. Digital imitation. Resemblance without manipulations. Skilled impersonations. Staged illusions. Imitation of Life (the sequel). It's difficult to know if it's new or just another resurrection. #post_place."

Through his artistic exploration, Richard Prince challenges our perceptions of identity, representation, and the evolving nature of art in the digital age. "Social Science Fiction" serves as a testament to Prince's enduring commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and his ability to engage with complex social and cultural themes. This captivating book is a must-read for art enthusiasts and those interested in the intersection of art, technology, and contemporary culture.

Weight: 1905g
Dimension: 316 x 224 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9798985236804