Holiday Gift Ideas: Noteworthy Art Books Published in 2024

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) moved to the Shelton Hotel in New York in 1924 with her husband, the photographer and art dealer Alfred Stieglitz. During that time, the Shelton was Manhattan’s earliest residential skyscraper and the height of this building inspired O’Keeffe to create a series of 25 paintings as well as numerous drawings. She referred to them as “my New Yorks.” These works consist of two types of compositions: sprawling observations looking down onto the city and views directed upwards at newly built urban monoliths. This volume offers a revealing study of O’Keeffe’s New York paintings and their significance in her development as an artist.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of movie posters by over 150 art directors and illustrators. Nearly all cinematic movements are highlighted — silent masterpieces, film noir of the '40s, science fiction from the '50s, psychedelic imagery of the '60s, and the gritty violence of the '70s. This book includes iconic posters from films such as The Man with the Golden Arm, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Goldfinger. There is also lesser-known artwork for films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars and Taxi Driver. This collection is not only for film lovers, but also for those who are interested in how advertising played a huge role in the film industry.

With nearly 700 images, this cutting-edge book showcases 75 rising tattoo artists who are redefining their industry. Each artist receives an in-depth profile that examines their influences, creative process, and how they are transforming the tattoo world. Along with their profile, readers can view a selection of images that illustrate their work. This book spans all styles and techniques—from minimal, blackwork, and Neo-Traditional tattoos to cultural and Indigenous practices. Readers will get an inside look at how tattoo artists are pushing the boundaries of their art form and also gain insights about the future of tattooing.

David Hockney (b. 1937) has enjoyed a long career and is one of the most celebrated British contemporary artists. His work has encompassed drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and stage design. This volume gathers Hockney’s prints and other works on paper from over six decades. Many of his prints display the dynamic interplay of color, form and perspective. His work also reflects his sense of visual storytelling about intimate elements of his own life. Throughout his career he has experimented with various printmaking techniques, including etching, lithography, screenprints and most recently his use of an iPad. This book reveals Hockney’s creativity in manipulating these various media.

This book offers an in-depth look of the Harlem Renaissance and how it played a pivotal role in the global flowering of Black creativity that extended far beyond New York City. Highlighted are artists such as Aaron Douglas, Charles Henry Alston, Augusta Savage and William H. Johnson, who combined European avant-garde with the aesthetics of African sculpture and folk art. Also included are the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston. Readers will get an in-depth look at how the flow of ideas through Black artistic communities on both sides of the Atlantic created conversations on an international level about art, race and identity.

The natural beauty and diversity of birds have fascinated artists for centuries. This book brings together a selection of artwork that depicts birds from the Renaissance to the present. Since their first appearance in art in medieval manuscripts, birds have been a popular and fascinating subject for artists who have sought to capture their beauty and majesty. For many artists, birds also symbolize elements of freedom, power and spirituality. The works in this book showcase a range of media that portrays the forms, movement and color of a variety of species. This book takes one on a visual journey as it shows why birds have captivated artists throughout the ages.

M.C. Escher (1898 -1972) is best known for his lithographs and woodcuts that were inspired by mathematics. This volume showcases over 300 works with a focus on those that he created during his years in Rome. Also included is a selection of his most iconic pieces, including Hand with Reflecting Sphere, Bond of Union, Metamorphosis II, Day and Night and the Emblemata series. Many of his works have been featured on the covers of numerous books and albums. Escher is not only held in high esteem by those who appreciate art, but also by those who are passionate about mathematics, geometry and science.

Anish Kapoor (b. 1954) is a renowned British-Indian artist who works in large-scale abstract public sculpture. His work is exhibited in major art institutions around the world and his large-scale public sculptures such as Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) is perhaps Chicago’s biggest tourist attraction. Throughout his long career, Kapoor has worked on a variety of scales and with very diverse materials such as mirrors, stone, wax, and PVC.  His works explore both biomorphic and geometric forms with a particular interest in negative space.  Many of his works create an engaging environment that inspire a meditative experience. This volume delves into Kapoor’s work over the past 40 years.

Although Yoko Ono (b. 1933) is often viewed as a polarizing figure in the music history, one cannot deny the impact she made on contemporary art. Ono was a leading figure in the Fluxus movement—an interdisciplinary and experimental approach to art that emphasized the blending of different artistic media. Readers learn how Ono championed feminist, antiwar and environmental ideas. Despite the criticism she endured (particularly by most Beatles fans), Ono persevered by creating meaningful art while cultivating a thoughtful voice. This is the first major publication of Ono’s work in more than a decade as it celebrates pivotal moments in her career.

Integrating text within works of art was once considered a revolutionary creative advancement of the 20th century. Today, many younger artists integrate words through various media, such as painting, sculpture, installation, and video to further communicate their ideas to viewers. This book showcases 103 living artists, from 34 countries, who place the use of text centrally within their artistic work. Also included is an introduction about the history of artists using text—from ancient Chinese calligraphy to contemporary digital art. The reader learns how text-based art can inspire a range of emotions and encourage viewers to engage with art in a new way.