Focusing on the past decade, Thread Painting features over 140 stunning, full-colour images of these three phases in Mann’s artistic career, and is her first published monograph.

 

In the introduction, Ann Coxon, curator of international art at Tate Modern, explores the relationships between dye, thread, paper, paint and time in Mann’s work, while considering her place within the history of textile art. Arts critic and author Chloë Ashby charts a significant period in Mann’s life when, approaching her forty-fifth birthday, she made the decision to channel her energy into making abstract paintings alongside her weaving practice. A conversation between Mann and childhood friend, artist and stage designer Es Devlin sheds light on Mann’s early influences, including her family, film and literature, and includes an in-depth discussion of her meticulous process.

At the heart of Mann’s work is a deep respect for the crafts of weaving and painting. Through her innovative technique of thread painting, she challenges the viewer to consider, what is a painting? The book is a celebration of Mann’s unique practice during a fascinating decade of artistic output.

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Thread Painting was shortlisted for Best Art & Architecture Monograph and the 2024 British Book Design & Production Awards.

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Published by Hurtwood Press