The Great Bratby: A Portrait of John Bratby RA (Art + Design) by Maurice Yacowar ISBN 13: 9781904750437

Middlesex University Press, 2008 282 printed pages. Unmarked text and clean covers. Bottom corner has been very slightly bumped, but otherwise this is very presentable and rather uncommon (in hardback). In addition to close readings of his art, The Great Bratby examines his writings, and his fiction. This complete biographical look at John Bratby (1928-92), an English painter who founded the "kitchen sink" style of art that was influential and popularized in the 1950s, reveals an eccentric artist who battled addictions and insecurity. Touching on the shameless publicity employed to make himself Britain's first modern celebrity artist, this is the first study to mine the Bratby Archive, which includes his selections from his intimate diaries. In addition to close readings of his art, this work examines his writings and his fiction, from his bestseller "Breakdown" to his unpublished novels and pornographic short stories.. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good.