LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM MB BERGER PRIZE FOR BRITISH ART HISTORY 2022 A major survey of Dame Laura Knight, first female Royal Academician and popular British artist of the 20th century. Laura Knight (1877-1970) was one of the most famous and popular English artists of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to have a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, in 1965. In the following decades, her realist style of painting fell out of fashion and her work become largely overlooked. Anew generation has rediscovered her work, finding a contemporary resonance in her depictions of women at work, of people from marginalized communities and her contributions as a war artist. This beautifully illustrated book, which accompanied a major exhibition at MK Gallery, provides an overview of Knight's illustrious career: from her training at Nottingham Art School at the age of 13 and her time in North Yorkshire and Cornwall, to her visits to traveller communities and a segregated American hospital. It also features her circus, ballet and theatre scenes, paintings of women during the war and her late paintings of nature. The selection of over 160 works combines celebrated paintings with less known graphic and design works, including ceramics, jewellery and costumes that reflect the artist's enduring interest in the everyday activities of people from all walks of life.

A major survey of Dame Laura Knight, first female Royal Academician and popular British artist of the 20th century.

About the Author
Fay Blanchard is Head of Exhibitions at MK Gallery. Prior to joining the gallery she worked as Visual Arts Curator with the British Council, producing exhibitions of artists including Michael Landy, Grayson Perry and Paula Rego. Anthony Spira is Director of MK Gallery, having been curator at the Whitechapel Gallery, London and the Jeu de Paume, Paris. He has produced many publications on artists including Ellen Altfest, Hans Bellmer, Peter Dreher and George Stubbs. Including essays by Pamela Gerrish Nunn, Sophie Hatchwell, Hannah Starkey and Sacha Llewellyn, and contributions from Lubaina Himid, Monster Chetwynd, Barbara Walker and Damian Le Bas.

Reviews
Marvel at Knight's works scattered throughout this beautiful book. * This England *
This beautifully illustrated book also features her circus, ballet and theatre scenes and her late paintings of nature. * Art Mag *
... a fascinating look at an artist who has often been overlooked, and stunningly illustrated with celebrated paintings as well as lesser known works. * The Artist *
The quality of the reproductions is excellent, and the story of Knight's life makes for fascinating reading. This is a real treat. * Leisure Painter *
Beautifully relayed and interestingly formatted, Laura Knight: A Panoramic View is not only timely but imperative to our understanding of the artist it documents and is well worth the attention of us all. * #WomensArt *
To further understand this eclectic artist from a twenty-first century perspective, the catalogue that accompanies the exhibition provides valuable additional material. It includes incisive essays and contributions from contemporary artists who provide personal responses to Knight's work and demonstrate her enduring relevance, particularly in relation to the representation of women. * The Burlington Magazine *
This beautifully illustrated book, which accompanies a major exhibition at MK Gallery, provides an overview of Knight's illustrious career: from her training at Nottingham Art School at the age of 13 to her paintings of women during the war and her late paintings of nature. * Art Herstory *



Book Information
ISBN 9781781301111
Author Anthony Spira
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd
Publisher Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 988g