Victor Pasmore 1958-60

Artist: Victor Pasmore 
Author: Ronald A.Davey and Richard Hamilton
Publisher: University of Durham 
Date: 1960 
Condition: In good condition, a little discoloration to the edges of the card covers, one pencil jotting to the back cover (apparently some train times!) but otherwise a complete and tidy copy of this interesting and visually stylish catalogue designed by Richard Hamilton. Spiral bound, the binding is generally neat and tight with just a little separation to the bottom perforations.

Pasmore was by 1960 a very significant figure in the British art scene - having developed a strong reputation and following for his early work, his shift towards abstraction in the late 1940s and early 1950s was a major step into the unknown. However, the change was justified - by the end of the decade, he was one of the senior British abstract artists and indeed was to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale shortly after this exhibition took place. 

In 1954, Pasmore had become Head of Painting at Durham University where his teaching was very progressive and influential. His involvement in the art world of the north-east was wide-ranging, from his part in the designs for Peterlee New Town and the remarkable 'an Exhibit', staged with Hamilton at the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle in 1957 (later recreated at the ICA)

This beautifully designed and presented catalogue shows just how in the right hands the simple formula of a list of exhibits can be developed - the images are a mix of the works shown as well as installation shots from 'an Exhibit', the artist is present in photographs of him in his studio and the introduction by Ronald A.Davey is complemented by a reprint of a Q&A with Pasmore by Leif Sjoberg of Columbia University.

All in all, this is a great object of its time