Art books for aspiring young artists — reviewed by Stella
If you have a young aspiring artist in your household, or a keen block builder, then one of these lovely art books would make an excellent gift. For the absolute beginners, My Art Book of Adventures is the latest in a charming series of board books for pre-schoolers. This series introduces the very young to a range of fine art images alongside relevant childhood experiences. Exploring their world, going on a picnic, being a baby, sleeping, and dreaming. The book is designed to appeal to and be practical for youngsters with its firm pages, only one or two images per page (there are 35 artworks), and short, sweet texts.
Building up and breaking down, find out all about buildings in 100 Things to Know About Architecture. This is an excellent book featuring both iconic buildings and simple structures, early builders, and famous architects. What I enjoy about this book over others that cover similar ground is the inclusion of technical information, architectural concepts, and socio-cultural context. Have a look at a few images on our website and you will see what I mean. Here you’ll find out the relationship between topography and buildings, what it takes to build a bridge, and how we live in houses. The attractive illustrations are immediately appealing and the text is informative, yet incisive. Each entry (100 in all) has a 100-word descriptor alongside its illustration.
And for something more hands-on, just published, a wonderful and inspiring art activity book, Ziggle! - The Len Lye Art Activity Book. The education team at the Len Lye Centre has gathered together 65 activities and plenty of information about the playful and inventive artist. This is fun, fascinating, and brimming with ideas. You might get a wind wand in your garden or get to enjoy an avant-garde film experience!
Recently, the art of Hilma af Klint has been showing up at galleries around the world. This renewed interest reflects the re-examination of influential women artists who have previously been sidelined. A Swedish artist, she was part of a circle of female mystics. Her work is grounded in her philosophy. Her paintings are among the first abstract works known in Western art history, predating Kandinsky and Mondrian. The Art and Life of Hilma af Klint is a great introduction to this artist, their distinctive style, and their passion for art and ideas.
Click on the book jackets to look inside!