Art-writing at its most useful should share the dynamism, fluidity and passions of the objects of its enquiry, argues Marina Warner. In this new anthology of some of her most compelling work, she captures the visual experience of the work of several artists with a notable focus on the inner lives of women through an exploration of the range of stories and symbols to which they allude. Metamorphosis features vividly in the imagery, stories and media of the art that Warner has chosen to write about: in connection with animals in the work of Louise Bourgeois, for instance; with the Catholicism of Damien Hirst; and with performance as a medium of memory and resistance in the installations of Joan Jonas.

Rather than drawing on connoisseurship, the author s approach grows principally out of anthropology and mythology. She argues that art and aesthetics increasingly fulfil a magical social function a principle that runs through these writings to give the collection a quality that is polemical as well as coherent. With an introductory essay and illustrations throughout, Marina Warner investigates how artists noted for their treatment of disturbing, uncanny material have reached beyond the visible, to express interior states. Truly inspiring, her writing unites the imagination of artist, writer and reader, creating a reading experience parallel to the intrinsic pleasure of looking at art.

Table of Contents

Foreword I. Playing in the Dark Paula Rego: Giving Fear a Face Henry Fuseli: In the Passionate Playground Janine Antoni: Hide & Seek Richard Wentworth: Things That Talk Kiki Smith: Wolf-Girl, Soul-Bird II. Bodies of Sense Hans Baldung Grien: A Fatal Bite Louise Bourgeois: Cut and Stitch Zarina Bhimji: Customs of the Country Helen Chadwick: The Wound of Difference Tacita Dean: Footage III. Spectral Technologies Joan Jonas: Future Ghosts Sigmar Polke: Stone Alchemy Al & Al: Visions of the Honeycomb Jumana Emil Abboud: Dreaming the Territory Christian Thompson: Magical Aesthetics IV. Iconoclashes Hieronymus Bosch: Trumpery, or The Followers of the Haywain Damien Hirst: Once a Catholic... Felicity Powell: Marks of Shame, Signs of Grace Frans Masereel: Naked in the City Cristina Iglesias: Where Three Waters Meet Julie Mehretu: The Third Space

Format: Hardback