Recs if you like Ways of Seeing...

an introduction to various artistic traditions throughout europe and asia, as well as a general guide to getting started with art history. recommendations are very welcome, as always!

note: books are mostly grouped according to period/tradition, but there are inevitable outliers

If you've ever thought that non-fiction was boring, dense or just "not made for me" this list is, in fact, made for you.

Our mental space can hold way more space than we think. So can our hands. This is for that tired, anxious and cool adult, go feed your soul and your creativity.

Nonfiction books and essays about visual art and how it functions as a mirror to ourselves. They discuss art's meaning, its interpretations, how art changes through our eyes, the effects of systematic discrimination upon how art is made and consumed, and help to develop better, more critical, and more introspective ways of looking at art and our museums.

Recommendations welcome!

Essential reads for artists who need motivation, technique tips, inspiration, and proof that all great creatives were a little chaotic too. (This list is focused on the drawing/painting mediums.)

I bought a guided reading journal for more grounded reflection and a way to wind down at night (and a cute incentive to take my time with reading and not feel guilty about it). Surprise, the journal has recommendations in the back! I figured I'd share just in case anyone else was interested/had the same journal and wanted a list on here too!

Non-textbooks to help you see the world like an anthropologist and understand culture a little better

books i read in my undergrad course on dangerous art. aka how to think and engage critically with media. and also some extras bc ways of seeing, dorian gray, and madame bovary are the only ones i can remember. to be fair to me its been like 6 years since i took the course 🙂‍↕️ i'll add more as i read more, and if you have any suggestions please feel free to leave a comment so i can add it to the list.

i recommend starting with ways of seeing by john berger, then proceed as you like

books that every bts member (mainly namjoon) has read, recommended or talked about in lives, songs, behinds, etc. 🫰🏻💜

note: i won’t get everything right or on the list so please be patient with me!! 💜

Addressing social issues in and through art history

Nonfiction which focuses on feminist analysis of media and representations of (real or fictionalized) women in media.

This collection of books are 250 pages are less, but made a big impact on me.

Everything I read during my Classics BA at KCL

marxism, anarchism, radical left etc.

A list consisting of books Yunjin of Le Sserafim has shared reading or referenced.

recs + queue

This is every book mentioned in mother mary comes to me by Arundhati Roy

Beyond the Words: A curated collection of books recommended by the members of BTS, books that inspired their music and artistic vision, and books related to BTS and their journey.