Her one word description of Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young & Curious by Gregory O'Brien was "Fantastic". When I asked for more details this is what she said:
"A fantastic introduction to all types of NZ art, especially good for those who are new to looking at art. Gregory O'Brien, senior curator at Wellington's City Gallery, guides the reader through 200 years of NZ art helping them to look at it in a new way, and making lots of interesting connections. It's fiilled with inside information about the artists and paintings and written in a easy chatty style. It's clearly aimed at kids and teenagers but will give people of all ages an insight into our artistic heritage, making them realise that art isn't just something for people with special knowledge but is there for everyone to enjoy."
It's sounds like something lots of people may enjoy picking up, and a prime example that although some books are targetted at a children's market, there is something in them of interest for a far wider audience. I had a leaf through it's pages before returning it to our display. I liked the way the author described art as "a balancing act involving what the eye sees, what the mind thinks and what the heart feels... As well as being a big adventure, a work of art can be a way of storing knowledge, ideas and images" and the explanations of artwork are easy to understand. It is also an extremely well produced book which will probably be seen again later in the year in the production awards.
Have a look for Back & Beyond and other titles from the Finalists List for the NZ Post Book Awards at your local library.
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