8 visually beautiful art books to enrich your mind and your home
With the limited space we are all confined to at home, we tend to rely on our mobile devices for entertainment to slowly brave through the tough times.
Hours of Animal Crossing is taxing for your eyes and you probably need the occasional break from your Netflix binge, so perhaps take mini breaks to stretch those tendons and lounge on the couch with a book – not just any read but pick something visually stimulating.
A handsome book can elevate not only your mind but also your living space as home décor. Revitalise your mind with our curated list of art and lifestyle selections from all walks of culture, topic and interest.
Japanese Woodblock Prints (1680 – 1938)
We can never talk about newness without consciously honouring our roots. From Dries Van Noten, Kenzo to those Sakujan bomber jackets, all of these “oriental” designs in some form are inspired by the intricate artistry of the Japanese.
This book, dedicated to the country’s woodblock prints, not only gives us context but, more importantly, reveals the personal stories and people behind the 200 most exceptional prints from 1680 – 1938.
Available on Taschen.
Homes for Our Time: Contemporary Houses around the World
Discover the world’s finest crop of new homes, featuring talents such as Shigeru Ban, MVRDV, and Marcio Kogan, alongside up-and-comers like Xu Fu-Min, Vo Trong Nghia, Desai Chia, and Shunri Nishizawa. While budgeting may be an issue, who says that you can’t dream big.
It’s a matter of play and being resourceful. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Find style components that embody your personal tastes and preferences.
Available on Taschen.
Ana Roš: Sun and Rain
More than just recipes, globally-acclaimed chef Ana Roš’ debut book is also filled with essays, recollections, and photos, as she shared the idyllic landscape that inspires her, the abundant ingredients from local foragers, down to the evolution of her inventive and sophisticated palate at Hiša Franko.
It’s about time that you broaden your taste buds. Take this chance to learn about a foreign culture – set near the Italian border in Slovenia’s emote Soča valley.
Available on Phaidon.
Bernhard Edmaier: EarthArt
Have you ever thought of having an out-of-body experience and see the world from a different perspective? Well, before that becomes viable, this book allows us to gaze from above with breath-taking aerial photographs of the Earth’s surface – from the Bahamas to Iceland, New Zealand to North America.
Sequentially ordered by colour, this is an excellent time to revisit the vividness of Mother Earth.
Available on Phaidon.
Bloom Wild: A Free-spirited Guide to Decorating with Floral Patterns
Catered to the maximalists at heart, Bloom Wild is your one-stop-shop on savvy advice for decorating homes with bold floral fabrics. With our work from home arrangements, this would be a great time to give our living space a facelift with pops of colours, patterns, and vibrant style in floral layers.
Available on Kinokuniya.
Yves Saint Laurent: Icons
This newly republished book traces the success of Saint Laurent’s haute couture and ready-to-wear designs from 1962 – 1988 through the lens of the world’s leading fashion photographers, including Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, William Klein, and many other greats.
Inside, 135 photographs document Saint Laurent’s celebrated designs worn by the rich and famous of the 60s, 70s, and 80s: Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, just to name a few. A classic volume and a keeper in any bookshelf, Saint Laurent’s ever-evolving artistry allow readers to gain a new appreciation of impeccably crafted clothing.
Available on Kinokuniya.
Daido Moriyama: A Diary
This book celebrates Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama as the 2019 Hasselblad Award winner, highlighting on his highly influential, lifelong, radical, and authentic approach to photography. A Diary focuses on his daily photographic expeditions, mastering the art behind capturing fragments in between chance and chaos.
The publication not only presents an overview and analysis of his work by Sandra Philips, but it includes a bonus the likes of Simon Baker, Mark Holborn, and Ishuichi Miyako, offering us an exclusive insight into Moriyama’s monochromatic world.
Available on Book Depository.
We Are All Greta: Be Inspired to Change the World
Like the title suggests, it is time to recuperate and envision our growing roles amid catastrophe. We Are All Greta sets the foundation required to understand climate change. It paints the pressing ecological landscape in an accessible way and is digestible for both children and adults.
Seize the moment, as “no one is too small to make a difference,” noted by Thunberg herself.
Available on Laurence King.
