Here, former Go-Between Robert Forster takes us on an exhilarating trip through the past and present of popular music. Drawn from his music criticism for The Monthly magazine, the pieces here swerve from The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Nana Mouskouri and Neil Diamond to Cat Power, Antony and the Johnsons, Franz Ferdinand and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as Australian mainstays such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Mark Seymour and Paul Kelly. Best of all, Forster has also included new pieces in which he outlines the 10 Rules of Rock and Roll, reflects on the influence of The Velvet Underground and movingly remembers his partner in The Go-Betweens, Grant McLennan.

The use of both word and image in artistic practice has become a defining feature of contemporary art. From typographers to easel painters to video artists, text has become a larger part of artistic practice ever since Modernism, with practitioners pushing the boundaries of their discipline to incorporate an increasing variety of expression and meaning. Art and Text investigates the use of text in contemporary artistic practice, showcasing the most innovative and groundbreaking examples of how word and image have come to occupy the same artistic terrain. Lavishly illustrated with the work of contemporary artists including Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Barbara Kruger and Bruce Nauman.

Sustainable design is the common thread that links the items illustrated in this handsome and important book. From household appliances to means of transport, from clothing to home fittings to packaging, more than 100 products divided into eight categories demonstrate the incredible results achieved at the international level by stateof- the-art design in pursuing sustainability. Ecodesign presents a fascinating range of products in 352 richly illustrated pages: from stylish energy savers for everyday life and multifunctional furniture systems, to the natural clothing and cosmetics of the future. The new green approach showcased here reflects a dynamic lifestyle that imaginatively brings together design, innovation and the responsible use of resources.

Jazz is not an encyclopaedia or conventional musical history. Written by US music critic Gary Giddins and jazz historian Scott DeVeaux, it’s different because it places the music and its protagonists against a broader cultural, political and social background. In order to help novices understand the technique behind jazz improvisation, the book also includes chapters on basic musical elements and provides listening guides to 78 recordings, from classics to more obscure pieces. Classic 1940s portraits by legendary jazz photographer Herman Leonard introduce each chapter and complete the story.

Internationally acclaimed theatre director Richard Cottrell takes a journey through 600 years of art with a look at 50 of his favourite paintings by 20 of his favourite artists. Cottrell’s selection isn’t so much a lesson on art history as an exploration of the human condition, and how the timeless and enduring popularity of great works of art is directly linked to our shared emotions. With an at times light-hearted and conversational tone, Cottrell brings together an eclectic mix of greats such as Tintoretto, Goya, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Picasso, Seurat and Manet, along with homegrown favourites Drysdale and Nolan. Looking at Paintings is an engaging, informative and accessible look at the richness of Western art, and how one man in particular enjoys it.

Along with Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Charles Conder, Frederick McCubbin was at the vanguard of Australian impressionism. In contrast to earlier bush narratives such as Lost, the ethereal paintings he produced in the final decade of his life were inspired by the Turners and Impressionists he saw on his sole trip to Europe at the age of 52. Resplendent with atmospheric light and colour, these ‘last impressions’ were the focus of an exhibition held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra in late 2009, for which this book was produced. Meticulously researched to provide an updated biography of the artist, the publication contextualises the colour reproductions of works including Moonrise and Golden Sunlight that made him one of Australia’s best-loved artists.

Photo-realism, abstraction, portraiture, installation painting and neo-expressionism are just some of the areas of the thriving medium explored in Painting Today. This comprehensive survey of contemporary painting presents the broad range of styles, materials and methods that comprise the contemporary art form, extending the tradition of Phaidon’s trail-blazing Art Today, which surveyed the scene from the 1960s to 1999. Since the proclaimed ‘death of painting’ in 1968, artists around the globe have nevertheless continued to expand its imagery, techniques and meanings, and in over 500 full-colour illustrations this book presents the work of both famous and emergent painters active around the world, including Australia’s Michael Jagamara Nelson, Doreen Reid Nakamarra and Imants Tillers.

A Singular Voice celebrates the remarkable contribution to Australia’s cultural life and legacy made by the prolific art historian and curator Joan Kerr, who died in 2004. Reproducing her essays for a new generation of art lovers, the book focuses on the themes of ‘Art and Life’, ‘Art and Artists’ and ‘Art and Architecture’ to reveal Kerr’s wit, acute eye for detail and scholarly research. The essays also highlight her important work as a feminist art historian, and her role in reassessing the place of women in art and the work of little-known Australian artists. The book includes a short biography of Kerr and a list of her essential writings, which includes her groundbreaking publication, The Dictionary of Australian Artists.

The biggest, most lavish book production of the 20th century is back! Sumo was a titanic book in every respect: a 35.4kg, 480-page masterwork by one of the 20th century’s most influential, intriguing and controversial photographers, Helmut Newton (1920–2004). This spectacular compendium of images reproduced to exceptional page size and to state-of-the-art origination and printing standards emerged from an open, exploratory dialogue between photographer and publisher. Originally published in an edition of 10,000 signed and numbered copies, it sold out soon after publication and quickly multiplied its value. This new, more-affordable edition will bring Newton’s unique vision to a wider audience and comes complete with a specially designed stand for displaying the book at home.

Unashamedly voyeuristic, Unpacking My Library takes us into the personal libraries of 14 of the world’s leading architects. Providing an interesting take on both reading and collecting, the book includes a conversation with each architect about the significance of certain books in their collection, revealing different tastes and interests. Evocative glimpses of the libraries and their groaning bookshelves are provided, along with each architect’s 10 most influential titles. Common to many bookshelves are books by Robert Venturi, Corbusier and that massive, seminal architectural tome S, M, L, XL. Other suggestions are more surprising, including Proust, Hugo, Pynchon, Musil and Faulkner, providing insights into the mind and library, if not the belly, of an architect.

Renowned botanical artist Leonie Norton pays tribute to those who came before her in this beautiful full-colour book, illustrated with over 100 exquisite botanical paintings. Ten Australian women artists are showcased here, their lives and work dating from Mary Morton Allport (who moved from a refined English life to a bark humpy in Van Diemen’s Land in 1831) to Ida McComish (who travelled the Pacific with her botanist husband to collect, paint and record unique flora and died in 1978). The paintings are accompanied by biographical essays on each artist documenting their lives and their approach to art – all of them have been little known until now. This book has clearly been a labour of love, as shown in its stunning production values and depth of research.

On city street corners, around telephone posts, through barbed-wire fences and over abandoned cars, a quiet revolution is brewing. Knit graffiti is an international guerrilla movement that started underground and is now embraced by crochet and knitting artists of all ages, nationalities and genders. Its practitioners create stunning works of art out of yarn, then ‘donate’ them to public spaces as part of a covert plan for world yarn domination. Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti is the definitive guidebook to covert textile street art.

A lavishly illustrated exploration of the life and work of the acclaimed Australian artist who created Animalia (Puffin. PB. $19.95). NB: December release.

This pair of National Library of Australia pictorials celebrates the work of two important Australian photographers, prefaced by essays by curator Helen Ennis. A leader of the Australian Pictorial Movement, Harold Cazneux’s evocative portraits, Sydney views and landscapes captured the changing face of Australia during the early decades of the 20th century, and helped create an Australian school of photography. Olive Cotton took a modern rather than pictorial approach to photography, experimenting with dramatic studio lighting and capturing the windswept patterns of the countryside, trees and flowers.

Wow. This is a truly magnificent book – a handsome hardcover devoted to showcasing the paintings and illustrations of Charley Harper, now destined to become far better known and appreciated. Renowned designer Todd Oldham grew slowly obsessed with Charley Harper’s work after encountering a pile of old Ford Times magazines in a thrift shop and being deeply struck by some of Harper’s illustrations. His find led to extensive research and hunting for long-lost examples of the artist’s book and magazine work – and eventually, meeting Charlie himself. Oldham’s long interview with Harper, at the beginning of the book, is a joyous, exuberant journey through a long and satisfying career and a pleasure to read. Also available: a stunning collector’s edition ($385).

This clever book shows how to make gorgeous things from pre-loved, remnant and vintage items.

E. O. Hoppé was once the most famous photographer in the world. He snapped celebrities and royalty in Britain, and chronicled America over two years of travel. In 1930, he travelled around Australia, spending 10 months intrepidly trekking between Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, tropical Queensland, central Australia, Sydney (where the Harbour Bridge was being constructed) and newly built capital Canberra (where his photographs captured the irony of a few grand buildings emerging from paddocks and bush). The wonderful images here have been buried in archives for more than 60 years. Browsing them now, the reader is struck by the relics of the past (Depression-era tin shanties, horses and carts on city streets), the exotic (a camel train in the outback, Aborigines in ceremonial dress) and the familiar (Flinders Street Station, Penfolds vineyards).

Twenty-six quirky craft projects with easy-to-follow instructions and full-size fold-out patterns.

Christopher O’Doherty, aka Reg Mombassa, has infiltrated our culture for more than 30 years with a unique, laconic view of the world. His wit, sense of mischief and larrikin energy resonated in the music of popular ’80s band Mental As Anything, and his eye for the absurd captured another generation with his irreverent, frequently macabre and always distinctive designs for the original Mambo label. Yet long before he became a Mental or transformed shirts into collectors’ items, Mombassa was first and foremost an artist. Illustrated with almost 300 original artworks and packed with photographs, posters and band memorabilia, this stunning book showcases everything from his idiosyncratic pop art to the delicately realised landscapes and images with which he celebrates the suburbs.

This pair of National Library of Australia pictorials celebrates the work of two important Australian photographers, prefaced by essays by curator Helen Ennis. A leader of the Australian Pictorial Movement, Harold Cazneux’s evocative portraits, Sydney views and landscapes captured the changing face of Australia during the early decades of the 20th century, and helped create an Australian school of photography. Olive Cotton took a modern rather than pictorial approach to photography, experimenting with dramatic studio lighting and capturing the windswept patterns of the countryside, trees and flowers.

Through its selection of outstanding images and revelatory interviews, Photo-Wisdom: Master Photographers on Their Art provides an unrivalled exploration of the richness of contemporary photographic practice. The purpose and the technique of photography is explained and discussed with many of the greatest photographers of our time. These luminaries share their visions, their challenges, their motivations and their methods through original and highly accessible ‘in-their-ownwords’ commentaries. The photographers featured range from award-winning photojournalists to celebrity shooters; from politicised environmentalists to elusive artists; from timeless veterans to new visionaries; and from great storytellers to the makers of lasting icons.

Four years ago fashion photographer Scott Schuman launched a blog. His aim was to connect the fashion runway with the street and show the world what real people are wearing. The Sartorialist is now one of the most popular blogs on the Net, and Schuman has been named one of Time magazine’s top 100 design influencers. This book brings together a large selection of Schuman’s street photography from around the world (though mainly from style capitals New York, Paris, London and Milan), with non-judgemental, minimal text providing a little background to a theme, place or protagonist. Voyeuristic and compelling, The Sartorialist is sure to get you thinking about style, fashion, self-expression, identity and what you should wear tomorrow. Also available: limited collector’s edition ($250).

An engaging study of composers, musicians and their audiences from 1700 to the present.

Nick Cave, Robert Forster, John Kinsella and Mick Harvey are among the contributors to this illustrated collection about post-punk band, The Triffids.

An eclectic mix of design, cultural history, erotica, fashion and fetishism focusing on the female body.