The Short Story of Contemporary Art

The Short Story of Contemporary Art is a must-read introduction to this exciting and important period from bestselling author and art historian Susie Hodge.

This fascinating pocket guide to art explains the how, why and when of contemporary art - who introduced certain techniques or genres, and why these matter.

Simply constructed, the book explores 40 key works - from the iconic sculpture of Barbara Hepworth to the street art of Keith Haring and the performance pieces of Marina Abramovic - and links them to the most important movements, themes and techniques. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of contemporary art.

About the Author

Susie Hodge has an MA in the History of Art by Research from Birkbeck, University of London. She is author of over 50 books, including studies of Impressionism, Victorian art, Picasso and Monet and is currently writing books on modern art and ancient Egyptian art. Throughout the year she runs workshops and seminars for various institutions and teaches part-time. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.