Description: The first comprehensive survey of a singular voice in New York abstraction, showcasing Mason's audacious explorations in color and intuitive command of form.
This is the most definitive volume on the life and art of Emily Mason (1932-2019), a post-New York School abstract painter whose work is marked by vibrant color and improvisational brushwork. Born in Greenwich Village, Mason developed her distinctive approach to Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting, reminiscent of the abstractions of Mark Rothko, Helen Frankenthaler, and Joan Mitchell. This long overdue book rediscovers this important artist and reaffirms Mason's place among the most influential abstract painters of her time. The volume examines Mason's artistic evolution from her education at The Cooper Union to her unique and dedicated approach that transcended conventional art movements. The essays explore her significant oils on paper, prints, and clayboards, showcasing her technical prowess and adaptability. Personal writings offer insights into Mason's reflections and experiences, enriching the understanding of her impactful legacy.Review Quotes: "The late painter was influenced by Abstract Expressionism, but she had none of the hubris of its male artists. For her, painting was not about an experience, it was an experience." -- HYPERALLERGIC.COM
"It feels like Mason simultaneously laid the foundation for how to make a book on her, one that ideally feels like an extension of the artist, even in her absence." -- LITHUB.COM "This monograph on the late abstract painter Emily Mason interrogates and beautifies the conceptualization of artistic merit. Essays by those who knew her and were impacted by her, including a series of intimate letters from curator and writer Naz Cuguoglu, coalesce to offer a poignant picture of why we're drawn to Mason's art and, more importantly, how we should honor artists who believe they will change us -- because they do. --Nereya Otieno" -- HYPERALLERGIC.COM