John Yau Bücher

Painter Joan Mitchell was never content to compose "easy" abstractions, preferring to challenge both herself and the viewer with works that pushed the limits of her own sense of beauty. As an Abstract Expressionist, she worked in an idiom that was well established when she began, and curator Klaus Kertess has usefully compared her achievement to that of Soutine and late Bonnard, also artists who did not "innovate" formally but built their achievement by exploring an existing painterly language for their own more intimate purposes. As the critic Jed Perl once wrote of her "The best Mitchells are authentically civilized experiences. Our appetites are focused and clarified."This volume is the first comprehensive presentation of the artist's works on paper--which Mitchell once curtly characterized as "lady paintings." That comment surely had to do with her generation's censure of prettiness--however, contemporary viewers are now free to enjoy the delights of this buoyant and lively body of work.

A diverse and cacophonous poetry collection tackling subjects from identity to current events. At once comic and cantankerous, tender and discomfiting, piercing and irreverent, Genghis Chan on Drums is a shape-shifting book of percussive poems dealing with aging, identity, PC culture, and stereotypes about being Chinese. Employing various forms, John Yau’s poems traverse a range of subjects, including the 1930s Hollywood actress Carole Lombard, the Latin poet Catullus, the fantastical Renaissance painter Piero di Cosimo’s imaginary sister, and a nameless gumshoe. Yau moves effortlessly from using the rhyme scheme of a sixteenth-century Edmund Spenser sonnet to riffing on a well-known poem-rant by the English poet Sean Bonney, and to immersing himself in the words of condolence sent by a former president to the survivors of a school massacre. Yau’s poems are conduits through which many different, conflicting, and unsavory voices strive to be heard. 

Acclaimed poet John Yau collaborates with renowned painter Thomas Nozkowski in this unique artistic endeavor. Combining poetry and visual art, they present "Ing Grish," which showcases the synergy between Yau's expressive verse and Nozkowski's captivating paintings. This work is part of the Saturnalia Books Poet/Artist collaboration series, highlighting the interplay of literature and visual creativity in an exquisite format.

Exploring the theme of identity and voice, this collection of poems delves into the complexities of language and perception, particularly from an Asian American perspective. Divided into eight sections, it examines concepts of address through various lenses, including memory and events. The work creatively intertwines influences from notable figures like Baudelaire and Philip K. Dick, enriching the narrative and challenging the reader to consider who is speaking and who is being represented. The poems embody Dickinson's idea of revealing truth with nuance and depth.

The collection features surreal, dreamlike prose vignettes that transport readers through haunting landscapes filled with "cities fluttering with lost ghosts." John Yau invites reflection on existence and purpose, posing the provocative question, "what are you doing now that you're here?" This work continues the exploration of themes introduced in his earlier work, delving into the interplay of memory, identity, and the ephemeral nature of life.

Focusing on the artistic evolution of Philip Taaffe, the book explores his innovative use of diverse techniques such as silkscreen, collage, and gold leaf. It highlights his journey from his student days at Cooper Union under Hans Haacke to his current work, providing an in-depth analysis of his artistic development and inspirations. The insightful text aims to give a comprehensive understanding of how Taaffe has expanded the boundaries of painting through his unique methods and creative vision.

Highlighting the overlooked and misunderstood, this collection features reviews and essays by John Yau that offer an alternative perspective on various subjects. It encompasses a diverse array of figures, including film stars Anna May Wong and Sessue Hayakawa, poets like Clark Coolidge and Marilyn Chin, and filmmakers such as Leni Riefenstahl and Patty Chang. Yau's insightful commentary challenges conventional notions of what is considered new in art and culture, making it a unique exploration of lesser-known voices and ideas.

The work of this contemporary British abstract artist showcases extraordinary paintings and watercolors, drawing deep inspiration from the romantic English landscape tradition exemplified by Constable and Turner. The artist's unique style blends modern abstraction with classical influences, creating a captivating visual experience that pays homage to the beauty of the English landscape.