Walead Beshty

Walead Beshty is a carefully curated guide to key bodies of work by the acclaimed conceptual artist presented in collaboration with Thomas Dane Gallery in London, Turin, and Naples. It explores the artist's expansive art through a deconstructing lens, offering a guide to some of his key bodies of work. The monograph features contributions from publisher Francis Atterbury, book designer Billie Temple, and Thomas Dane partner Francois Chantala and an insightful essay by leading professor of Juridical Sociology at University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli. Beshty embraces the archetypal format, tropes, and conventions of a traditional book, employing printing and publishing practices seldom seen in contemporary bookmaking, reflecting on what an artist's monograph might represent as it explores the contingencies that allow art to function.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Hurtwood Press

Walead Beshty, a meticulously crafted guide to the essential bodies of work by the acclaimed conceptual artist, is presented in collaboration with Thomas Dane Gallery in London, Turin, and Naples.

Walead Beshty, a prominent figure in contemporary art, hails from Los Angeles and operates across photography, sculpture, and words. His artistic practice is characterized by its expansive nature, best described as an ongoing conversation, which this monograph serves as the latest expression. Through a deconstructive lens, Walead Beshty delves into every exhibition and project he has presented in collaboration with Thomas Dane Gallery in London, Turin, and Naples. The monograph offers a comprehensive guide to some of the artist's most significant bodies of work.

Uncovering processes holds a central place in Beshty's art. He intentionally incorporated marks made by oxidation and human touch into his FedEx copper works and Copper Surrogate works, as well as capturing the diverse individuals involved in his exhibitions in Industrial Portraits. The extensive effort invested in this substantial new monograph, featuring contributions from publisher Francis Atterbury, book designer Billie Temple, and Thomas Dane partner Francois Chantala, is evident in its meticulous presentation. Additionally, an insightful essay by renowned professor of Juridical Sociology at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Carlo De Rita, is included.

Adopting a semiotic approach to books as "not just a thing you hold, but something held in common," Walead Beshty embraces the archetypal format, tropes, and conventions of a traditional, if unconventional, book. He employs printing and publishing practices seldom seen in contemporary bookmaking, reflecting on what an artist's monograph might represent as it explores the contingencies that enable art to function. Walead Beshty itself is a carefully curated entity.

Weight: 802g
Dimension: 189 x 219 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780903696623