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Barbara T. Smith

The Way to Be: A Memoir

The Way to Be: A Memoir

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Barbara T. Smith is a pioneering artist in California who has been at the forefront of artistic movements for over fifty years. Her memoir, The Way to Be, covers the years 1931 to 1981 and reveals the personal stories and events behind her pieces and the challenges she faced in an art world dominated by sexism and machismo. The book presents previously unpublished notes, documents, photographs, and firsthand accounts of her life and practice, as well as her more recent reflections on the past. It demonstrates Smith's lasting contributions to the field of contemporary art and provides an engaging commentary on a recent period of great cultural and political change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications


Barbara T. Smith has been a pioneering force in California's artistic landscape for over fifty years. Her diverse body of work, spanning various mediums, delves into profound themes that touch upon the essence of human existence, encompassing sexuality, physical and spiritual nourishment, technology, and death. In this captivating memoir, Smith intertwines vivid descriptions of her groundbreaking performances with an intimate account of her life experiences. The Way to Be spans the years 1931 to 1981, culminating in her fiftieth birthday, resulting in an extensive catalog of her early artistic endeavors. Through this comprehensive book, readers gain a deeper understanding of the personal stories and events that inspired her creations, as well as the challenges she faced in a male-dominated art world. Drawing upon Smith's extensive archive at the Getty Research Institute, The Way to Be presents previously unpublished notes, documents, photographs, and firsthand accounts of her life and artistic practice, alongside her more recent reflections on the past. This captivating work not only showcases Smith's enduring contributions to contemporary art but also offers an insightful commentary on a significant period of cultural and political transformation.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 232 x 153 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606068212

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