Max Book, born in 1953, is a Swedish artist and musician known for his significant impact on Swedish postmodern art. Largely self-taught, he rose to prominence in the 1980s with his powerful and expressive paintings that often feature dark and monumental qualities. He became something of an "art rock star" during this period, gaining recognition in both galleries and museums.
“The Group", mixed media on canvas. Clubbed for 1 199 GBP at Norrlands Auktionsverk.
An Experimental and Dynamic Style
Book's style is dynamic and experimental. He often creates a "conflicted subconscious" in his work, blending painting with collage, incorporating strange symbols, and juxtaposing contradictory objects. His early work was characterized by a powerful, heavy painting style with a threatening natural romanticism. He would often break the mood with a sudden, contrasting color or a disruptive element, like a graffiti tag or an inexplicable symbol, creating a sense of unease and mystery.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Book pioneered a shift in his work by using photographic models, leading to more figurative, yet still abstract and psychedelic, results. This new direction maintained his signature dark undertones. From 1995 to 2000, he served as a professor of painting at the Royal Academy of Arts in Stockholm, and he became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1996.
"Violet gas of sun", mixed media on board.
Postmodern Influences and Legacy
Throughout his career, Book has been a part of notable art groups, including the Wallda group and the Ibid group. His work has been exhibited extensively in major museums and galleries across Sweden and internationally, including at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Art Cologne, and PS1 in New York. He is represented in the collections of several major Swedish museums. In 2014, he was nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Art Award. Book is also a musician in the electronic band ZëBB Academy.