Art Work

It seems unfair that an artist so gifted behind the camera should also be possessed of such a magnificent literary talent – John BanvilleI love this book. It’s not just about art – if anyone’s asking me – it’s about being a human. And it is really wise about that business. – James RebanksIf it’s possible to learn fearlessness—or cussedness or dust-yourself-offedness or stick-to-itiveness—Sally Mann is the one who could teach it to you. Sally Mann may be the only one who could teach it to you. This book will make you brave – Margaret Renkl * author of The Comfort of Crows *In this erudite, frank, and funny book, Mann gives us wonderful new insights into her photography and her life as an artist. Full of inspiration and sage advice, it should be required reading for young artists setting out to work in any medium – Amor Towles * bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway *Art Work is an important book with one clear message for artists: stay true to your vision, whatever happens. By following Mann’s tough and hard-won example, we learn that short-cuts and gimmicks will never lead to lasting success. Art Work is written in language of great beauty - poetic and direct - and artists will turn to it as their manual - their bible, even - for years to come – Celia PaulHighly readable … This is a book as much about the art of living as a life in art from the warm, spirited and thoughtful artist and photographer – Simon Armstrong * The Bookseller *One of America’s finest memoirists … [Mann] is at the peak of her powers in Art Work * The New York Times *Entertaining, inspiring and hilariously idiosyncratic … Art Work is like looking through the ‘everything drawer’ in someone’s kitchen … it seems disparate and whimsical, yet everything is actually practical and necessary. Mann is showing any wannabe artist that you can’t just be a dreamer, you also have to be a schemer; and you can’t just peddle fairytales and daydreams, you also have to put in the grift and graft. It is a brilliant read * Bidisha, author of The Future of Serious Art *Candid, kickass and wise … telling eye-widening personal stories, drawing on her deep reading, and sharing letters, notebooks, and photographs, Mann pegs her rollicking mix of pragmatic guidance and electrifying discoveries to key topics … She recounts crucial moments of serendipity and misery, mistakes and breakthroughs with verve, precision, rueful self-critiques, and spirited insights … Mann is galvanic, funny and profound * Booklist *Entertains as much as it enlightens … Mann is a clear-eyed, self-deprecating guide, framing her many mistakes as part of a lifelong creative practice * Publishers Weekly *

Sally Mann is a Guggenheim Fellow and three-time recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. She was named “America’s Best Photographer” by Time in 2001. In 2021, she received the Prix Pictet and was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. She has been the subject of two documentaries- Blood Ties (1994), which was nominated for an Academy Award, and What Remains (2006), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Emmy for Best Documentary. Mann’s Hold Still- A Memoir with Photographs (Little, Brown, 2015) received universal critical acclaim, was a finalist for the National Book Award.

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