A central figure in Glasgow’s vibrant art scene, Luke Fowler’s cinematic collages break down conventional approaches to biographical and documentary film-making.

Fowler’s films have often been linked to British Free Cinema, whose distinctive aesthetic came out of a conscious decision to engage with the reality of contemporary Britain in the 1950s. Avoiding didactic voice-over commentaries and narrative continuity, Fowler’s similarly uses impressionistic sound and editing.

However, Fowler moves beyond simply referencing the work of his predecessors. Intuitively applying the logic, aesthetics and politics of his subjects onto the film he is making about them, he creates atmospheric, sampled histories that reverberate with the vitality of the people he studies.

This is the first major publication on Luke Fowler and it provides a comprehensive overview into his artistic production, with colour illustrations, an in-depth discussion between Stuart Comer and the artist, as well as an essay by Will Bradley.

Published with Kunsthalle Zürich and Serpentine Gallery, London.

Accompanies an exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, London, 7 May – 14 June 2009.