R.B Kitaj - In Our Time: Covers for a Small Library

14th February - 17th March 2009

The Watermill Gallery, Aberfeldy is pleased to be holding an exhibition of works by R.B Kitaj. In Our Time: Covers for a Small Library After the Life for the Most Part is a portfolio of 50 screenprints, produced by Kitaj in 1969. A painter and graphic artist, Kitaj, who lived in London, is often referred to as one of the most prominent figures in the pop art movement.

Kitaj’s silk-screen images in the exhibition are taken from his personal library. Blown up as large formatted works of art, they provide a glimpse into some of the most important social/political/artistic issues of the 20th century and issues important to the artist. Topics range from the Holocaust to baseball.

As the exhibition coincides with World Book Day, 5th March, Watermill Bookshop Staff have selected their favourite 10 book covers from current titles to complement the exhibition of book covers from the library of RB Kitaj.
Watermill owners Jayne and Kevin Ramage have also selected 10 titles from their personal library. Their selection includes the classic graphic art of an old 'Roy of the Rovers' annual and for more insight on the present day, a nineteenth century edition of Karl Marx's 'Das Capital'. To see the others - come along to the exhibition and tell the watermill what YOUR favourite book covers are!

In an essay published in 1964, Kitaj wrote, "some books have pictures and some pictures have books." A lifelong bibliophile, Kitaj has found much of his inspiration for his artworks in books. Kitaj also was inspired by Marcel Duchamp's idea of the 'ready-made' in art so the pieces are also partly conceptual in their orientation.

The Tate Modern has a set of Covers for a Small Library in its collection.

Artworks

  • 519

    Four in America , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    SOLD

  • 520

    La Lucha Del Pueblo Espano.. , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    SOLD

  • 521

    The Congo and other poems , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    SOLD

  • 522

    Photo Auge , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £250

  • 523

    Die Donau , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    SOLD

  • 524

    O'Neill , 1969

    screenprint

    60 x 81cm

    £250

  • 525

    The Pursuit of the House B.. , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £350

  • 526

    Reklame , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60xm

    £350

  • 527

    Articles & Pamphlets , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £350

  • 528

    City of Burbank , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £350

  • 529

    Intelligence Bulletin , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £350

  • 530

    Short Takes , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    SOLD

  • 531

    War on the White Slave Trade , 1969

    screenprint

    81 x 60cm

    £350

For more information about this exhibition please contact us.