State of the art: Ideas and images in the 1980s

Produced in conjunction with a television series, this book begins with a definition of art as necessarily social and ideological and then addresses issues in the visual arts through the discussion of ideas, descriptions of works, and interviews with artists. Nairne examines definitions of postmodernism, artists' use of history, institutions that define art's aesthetic and economic value, ideas of creativity and work, sexuality and representation, art and politics, and the role identity and culture play in the production and reception of art. Biographical notes. Circa 200 bibl. ref.