As promised, here’s our final installment featuring some ‘must have’ titles that are new or forthcoming this season.

So we’ll just dive right in…. with this Milton Avery, 2 volume set, limited edition, from Victoria Miro Gallery: Milton Avery: Home and Studio / A Sketchbook. This one is being released at the same time as a feature on the artist in ‘World of Interiors’ magazine, giving a great insight into the working life of the highly influential American artist, who died in 1965. The two volumes come together in a slipcase. It includes a 200 page facsimile of the artist’s 1952 sketchbook.  Due October.

We’d also have to mention Victoria Miro’s other Milton Avery book at the same time: simply, this is called (wait for it….) Milton Avery. This was published this year alongside Miro’s first showing of the artist’s work since taking on his representation. He is considered a great painter of the 20th century. Available now.

Next up is Portrait of the Artist: Käthe Kollwitz which is being produced alongside Ikon’s show in October. We anticipate both the show and the book to be hugely popular, so we’d advise getting a copy of this title as soon as you can. Hugely influential, her graphic art is very highly regarded, and she is probably best known for her explorations into social injustice as well as equality for women and the working classes. She believed art could be used as a force for good. Due October.

Last, but not least, there is Shonky: The Aesthetic of Awkwardness – published by The Hayward Gallery alongside their new touring show. This one has definite quirk appeal! Here, artist John Walter examines his previously unidentified theory of art, based on humour and irreverence: Something that is ‘Shonky’ is hand made, but not very well made at all. The book has a newly designed font (by Fraser Muggeridge, no less) and with its mad, bright colours and awkward ‘feel’ it is ‘Shonkiness’ personified! The show is touring to MAC Belfast, DCA Dundee and Bury Art Museum – spreading Shonky across the UK. Can you identify all that is ‘Shonky’? Due November.

image courtesy Southbank Centre. (c) Jonathan Bassett.