Mary Heilmann pioneered the infusion of abstract painting with craft tradition and pop culture
Mary Heilmann studied ceramics and poetry before moving to New York in 1968 and taking up painting. A pioneer of infusing abstract painting with influences from craft traditions and popular culture--especially rock music and California beach culture--Heilmann is one of the most important yet under-recognized artists working today. Mary Heilmann: Looking at Pictures explores the artist's approach to abstraction from two distinct but interrelated perspectives: the formal and the personal. The autobiographical dimension of the artist's work is clear in her pieces related to friendships, memories and places; while the formal aspect of her oeuvre is evident in her paintings of grids and squares rendered in primary colors and in works based on architectural planes. As well as a new essay by Briony Fer and writings on key works by the artist, the volume features over 100 beautiful full-color illustrations of paintings, works on paper, furniture and ceramics from Heilmann's five-decade career.
