My collection of art and design books is growing, and the latest addition is a new publication by Princeton Architectural Press called By Hand: The Use of Craft in Contemporary Art.

Filled with images and writings by 32 artists, the book is about those who “replace the paintbrush with a needle and thread and, instead of standing in front of a canvas all day, spend time hunched over sewing machines and embroidery hoops.” (7)

Images of knitted sweaters to keep signposts warm, embroidered Tokyo cityscapes, lifesize vinyl appliances and limited edition artists’ books are accompanied by statements written by the artists who share the purpose of their work and the meticulous process by which they create. My favorites include electricwig of Northern Ireland, New York-based Andrew Kuo, Karen Reimer from Chicago, Illinois, and Rob Wynne from New York.

I really like what Robyn Love, the maker of knitted cozies, says about the place of handmade items in the modern world of machines and mass production: “I am fascinated by the craft and do-it-yourself booms, as evidenced by entire cable networks devoted to them and things like the scrapbooking craze. I think they are a result of people having no place in ordinary life to work with their hands anymore.  

We used to have to make our own clothes, build our own houses and furniture, preserve food, bake bread, and in general, keep busy with our hands. Now, those tasks have all but been eliminated, but there is still the human need to create.” (102)

By Hand is definitely worth picking up if you’re interested in the resurgence of craft in the contemporary art scene, and especially if you like looking at the work of textile artists!

November 22nd, 2006