Joana Vasconcelos. Material World

Joana Vasconcelos has become one the most respected and sought-after artists of the 21st century. She is known for using non-traditional materials, and particularly textiles, to create monumental and expansive works that intrigue, inspire and entertain the viewer: her chandelier decorated with tampons caused a sensation at the Venice Biennale in 2005, and she has since had solo exhibitions at Versailles and Manchester Art Gallery. Vasconcelos aims to re-present and subvert everyday objects, often manipulating scale and form, and is keenly interested in the role of women and items associated with them. This book focuses on her extraordinary works in textiles. It highlights in particular her ‘Valkyries’ series, vibrant patchwork extravaganzas that weave together knitting and crochet with silk, velvets, recycled clothes and industrially produced textiles embellished with Portuguese tassels, crystals and beads. Enrique Juncosa and Crispin Sartwell offer thoughtful and in-depth overviews of her work and its development over the past fourteen years.