
The Body in Contemporary Art
Sally O'Reilly(Author)
Thames & Hudson Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 28. September 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-500-20400-9 (ISBN)
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Description
The Body in Contemporary Art presents an international survey of art made over the last two decades in which the human form is central. Featuring work across a range of media, from painting and sculpture to installation, video art and performance, the book examines the different roles played by the body in art, from being the subject of portraiture to becoming an active presence in live and participatory events. Including the work of both internationally renowned and up-and-coming artists from Francis Alys, Marlene Dumas and Matthew Barney to Oleg Kulik, Olafur Eliasson and Ernesto Neto, the book shows how the body continues to be pivotal to our understanding and expression of our place in the universe.
Reviews / Votes
'O'Reilly's plain language and the simple structure of the book make it authoritative' - The Art NewspaperMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
49 Illustrations, black and white; 202 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 150 mm
Weight
490 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-500-20400-9 (9780500204009)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Sally O'Reilly
The Body in Contemporary Art
Book
10/2025
2nd Edition
Thames & Hudson Ltd
€27.50
Available immediately
Person
Sally O'Reilly is a writer who contributes regularly to various art magazines including Art Monthly, Frieze, Art Review and Time Out. She has written numerous catalogue essays for international museums and galleries. She has curated and produced a number of performance events, both
independently and as one of the founders of Brown Mountain College of the Performing Arts.
independently and as one of the founders of Brown Mountain College of the Performing Arts.
Content
1. Representation and Presence * 2. The Body in Time and Space * 3. Difference and Solidarity * 4. Nature, Myth, Technology * 5. Grotesque: Monsters, deviation, abjection, disappearance, death * 6. Over to You/Into the World 4000 * 7. Revised and Remade