Forms of Enchantment

Marina Warner compellingly explores thelayers of allusion symbols and stories underlying art from the 16th to the 21st centuries In making the case for a uniquely writerly way of thinking with and about art and artists she sets out to share the dynamism fluidity and passions of the objectsof her enquirybrbrApproaching art and artists primarily through the fields of anthropology mythology and fairy tale Warner argues for arts place in society as a site of enchantment a realm in which imagination holds the key to knowledge and understanding Metamorphosis features vividly across the imagery media and subject matter of the artworks selected which include pieces by Paula Rego Damien Hirst Louise Bourgeois Tacita Dean and HieronymusBosch This collection engages with artists particularly women artists noted for reaching beyond the visible and transforming a rich inner life into uncanny sometimes disturbing matterbrbrInspiring and highly engaging iForms of Enchantmenti unites the imaginations of artist writer and reader forging a reading experience that parallels the intrinsic pleasureof looking at artbr