A Natural History of the Studio
Description
William Kentridge, one of the leading artists of our time, offers a personal account of his childhood, creative practice, and the studio spaces—understood both as physical places and a way of thinking—that have shaped his life and work
For more than thirty years, Kentridge’s art has been celebrated for its profound engagement with history, politics, and the uncertainties of the human condition. In 2024, he delivered the prestigious Slade Lectures at the University of Oxford; A Natural History of the Studio brings these together in a lively, book-length exploration of the creative process.
Moving between memory, art history, and experiment, Kentridge shows how “the outside world dissolves” into the artist’s materials. Inside his studio, films are run backwards and forwards, a glimpse of dappled light brushes up against Constable’s vast river landscapes, and Kentridge’s own work slowly takes shape and comes into view. Playful and erudite, he emerges as the rare artist with a gift for writing clearly and generously about the creative act.
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Person
Born in 1955 in Johannesburg, South Africa, William Kentridge is one of the world’s foremost contemporary artists. His work spans drawing, film, performance, and opera, and is presented at leading institutions worldwide. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kyoto Prize, and holds honorary doctorates from Yale, Columbia University, and The University of London. He lives and works in Johannesburg.