Annette Messager

The definitive monograph of Annette Messager, covering her multifaceted oeuvre from immersive installations to intricate taxidermy, now updated and expanded in collaboration with the artist. Annette Messager’s original use of form and poetic power of communication place her among Europe’s leading contemporary artists. Her work experiments with a wide variety of media, from painting and sculpture to assemblage, photography, film, and embroidery. From her early works exploring fictional autobiography to her commanding, "penetrable" installations, her work is at once intimate and universal, using familiar objects to challenge conventional outlooks.A strong, visual work that provides a clear picture of the artist’s creative development, this edition encompasses her recent work, including the installation Casino at the 2005 Venice Biennale. Including a thirty-four page introductory portfolio, the book is organized thematically and incorporates first hand interviews with the artist and analyses of individual works. Completed by a full exhibition history and extensive bibliography, this is a must-read for anyone interested in current artistic developments in Europe.

Catherine Grenier is assistant director at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.