I have just finished reading the fascinating biography of J.M.W.Turner, by Franny Moyle, ‘The Extraordinary Life and Momentous Times of J.M.W.Turner’. It is an absorbing account of the life of an artist who continually strove to push the limits of his artist endeavours, in the face of public disdain and even hostility. Through self belief, self promotion and drive, he also became a wealthy man. In one way he was the Andy Warhol of his time.

i have just read about an intrepid 70+ year old New York artist Joyce Kozloff (in an insightful book ‘New York Studio Conversations‘ edited by Stephanie Buhmann). Joyce is also fascinated by the Silk Road and Central Asia, has actually travelled to the region, and has used this passion as the basis for many works.

I have just read the book ‘ A Clan of Boats‘ (by the Faurschou Foundation 2013) commemorating Cai Guo-Qiang’s inaugural show for the Danish Faurschou Foundation. I had been aware of his gunpowder art at a superficial level, however now much better appreciate his approach and work, especially his use of the boat as a symbol for cultural exchange, and as vessels to connect people and places across time and space. The book quotes Foucault’s description of a boat as a heterotopia, a place that is not a place. Interesting concept.

Two works in particular resonate- the inflatable sheepskin raft installation titled ‘Cry Dragon/Cry Wolf:The Ark of Genghis Khan‘ (due to the links with Central Asia) and the ‘Reflection-A Gift from Iwaki‘ (where a salvaged wreck from the coast of Japan is shown with an overflowing cargo of broken white porcelain statuettes of the Buddhist Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion). As it turns out, Cai was born in Quanzhou, a major port city on the maritime Silk Road, and a point of departure for Marco Polo on one of his expectations (supposedly to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Mongol Ilkhanate per Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quanzhou).

I have just finished reading this most insightful and thoughtful book. One of the points that resonates most with me is the need for drive and passion. Technical skills can follow or be acquired as needed.

I just finished reading a fascinating book on art market economics by Don Thompson, called ‘The Supermodel and the Brillo Box’. It describes the rise of the uber dealer, the demise of the mainstream gallery market, and the critical need for context or ‘back story’ to sell art. Riveting, if not depressing, reading as an artist.

I have just read Eric Fischl’s autobiography ‘Bad Boy – My life on and off the canvas’ (co-authored with Michael Stone). It is an unflinchingly honest look at how he used the creative process to confront and deal with his personal demons, largely due to a dysfunctional childhood. Reading this book and understanding his motivation has made me see his art in an entirely new way.