John Latham: Skoob Works

John Latham (1921–2006) was a pioneer of British conceptual art, who, through painting, sculpture, performances, assemblages, films, installation and extensive writings, fuelled controversy and continues to inspire.

Latham began using books as a medium in 1958, extending his earliest spray-painted canvases into the third dimension by creating reliefs wherein the publication emerged from plaster on canvas.

Titled ‘skoob’, a reversal of ‘books’, these works invert the traditional function of literature, typically read in a linear and temporal manner, to create an object that can be consumed spontaneously and without structure.

Featuring contributions from curator Pavel Pys and Turner Prize-winning artist, Laure Prouvost this publication is a useful introduction to the practice of this innovative artist who used books throughout his career.