Text by Simon Baker, Erika Balsom and an in conversation with Susanna Greeves
Edited by Honey Luard
Designed by Studio Mathias Clottu
300 x 235 mm, hardback
128 pages, 60 colour and 21 black and white illustrations
ISBN 978-1-910844-46-5
Published by White Cube, May 2021

Julie Curtiss’ first monograph is published to coincide with the artist’s solo exhibition in London, which opened to the public in May 2021. Titled ‘Monads and Dyads’ the book offers a comprehensive overview of Curtiss’ work to date, which includes paintings, works on paper and sculptures.

Curtiss’ visual language draws on a history of figuration that includes 18th- and 19th-century French painting, as well as the Chicago Imagists and the ‘pop’ imagery of comic books, manga and illustration. This title, as well offering generous reproductions of her works, brings together a broad range of imagery that, when considered alongside her works, provides new insights and an understanding of the many visual sources that inform the work.

An essay by Erika Balsom considers Curtiss’ work within a framework of the golden age of cinema alongside an essay by Simon Baker, which focuses on the role of surrealism in the work of this young contemporary artist. Finally, an in conversation with Susanna Greeves gives voice to the artist’s own thoughts and inspirations for the work.

Dr Simon Baker is Director of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), Paris. Dr Erika Balsom is Reader in Film Studies at King’s College London. Susanna Greeves is Director, Museum Liaison, White Cube.

Designed by London-based Swiss designer Mathias Clottu in close collaboration with the artist, the playful book design takes its inspiration from French publishing of the 19th century.