Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles
Foreground

Thursday, September 14, 2000

"Paintings" book published in the UK

Last updated on December 25, 2024


Timeline

Related articles

From paulmccartney.com:

This book has its roots in the exhibition Paul McCartney: Paintings which was curated by Wolfgang Suttner and show in the LA Art Forum, Siegen, Germany, from May 1 to July 25, 1999, and the catalogue, edited and produced by Mr. Suttner and Kultur-Buro, Siegen-Wittgenstein, which accompanied that exhibition.

117 colour and 17 duotone illustrations with essays by Brian Clarke, Julian Treuherz, Barry Miles, Wolfgang Suttner, Christoph Tannert and an interview with Paul McCartney. Photographs by Linda McCartney Photographs of works by Nick Clark

From Amazon:

Tony Bennett, David Byrne, and occasionally David Bowie all do it–they make art. With the introduction of Paul McCartney: Paintings we can now add the famous Beatle to the list. The book is a catalogue of paintings from McCartney’s 1999 exhibition in Germany. Music and art have many things in common; for McCartney it is the freedom to “play” which connects both endeavours. Fittingly, his paintings draw most of their influence from abstract expressionism where the material quality of the paint itself inspires the drips, blobs and splatters. His paintings range from cartoon-like figures and faces to open landscapes. The colours are dynamic with varying thicknesses of paint, some with marks scratched into the surface, all with stories and symbolic value. From the illustrations and accompanying essays, to the very candid interview, we are given remarkable insight into McCartney’s practice as a committed creative person. He confides his insecurities as a painter who has never gone to art school, and his defining moments as an artist both musically and visually. Within the interview is an unusually generous section where McCartney discusses individually many of the paintings in the book. It’s a behind-the-scenes look as he elaborates on the personal meanings behind certain symbols, tells stories and anecdotes and acknowledges his painterly influences, specifically Willem de Kooning. Also included are personal photographs of the artist at work, 117 colour illustrations, and 17 duotone photographs. —J.P. Cohen

From Heritage AuctionsPaul McCartney Signed “Andy In The Garden” 29″ X 38″ Limited Abstract Art Print (1999). A striking rich and eye catching print from his original oil on canvas painting in 1990. The image reflects an autumn evening in McCartney’s garden where he blends elements form his unconscious and his currant environment. He draws a parallel with Warhol.

“I heard about the Velvet Underground … and they said what made him the greatest producer ever was that anything they did, he allowed them complete freedom and he just enjoyed it, and it is very interesting because it is kind of opposite for me in painting, him coming into music and just allowing it, following what he saw, it is the same journey I am doing into painting, only the opposite direction, you know, the paint makes Andy appear so it is just a magic moment.”

Measures approx: 19 1/2″ by 28″ in mat. Framed approx: 29 1/2″ by 38″. Limited hand sign by Paul McCartney in the lower left corner. In overall Very Good Plus to Near Mint Minus condition. Some wear and scuffs to the frame. Verso shows some small tears to the paper.

Wonderful piece that will look great on the wall. COA from Heritage Auctions. From the Joel Rabinowitz Beatles Archive.

Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After The Break-Up 1970-2001

"An updated edition of the best-seller. The story of what happened to the band members, their families and friends after the 1970 break-up is brought right up to date. A fascinating and meticulous piece of Beatles scholarship."

We owe a lot to Keith Badman for the creation of those pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - a day to day chronology of what happened to the four Beatles after the break-up and how their stories intertwined together!

Buy on Amazon

The Beatles - The Dream is Over: Off The Record 2

This edition of the book compiles more outrageous opinions and unrehearsed interviews from the former Beatles and the people who surrounded them. Keith Badman unearths a treasury of Beatles sound bites and points-of-view, taken from the post break up years. Includes insights from Yoko Ono, Linda McCartney, Barbara Bach and many more.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.