There has been a huge injection of energy within contemporary painting in Britain in the past few years – part of a wider international dynamic that has seen the medium of paint explored with a renewed sense of interest, excitement and enjoyment. It is an energy that can be sensed all the way through the industry, from the art schools and the grass-roots painting community to the leading galleries, major museums and prominent festivals, biennials and art fairs. The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting considers and celebrates the work of forty artists whose practices have been shaping and defining Britain’s contribution to current painting on the national and international stage.

The anthology documents the work of the invited artists by means of forty solo exhibitions in public museums and galleries, as well as in commercial, independent and artist-led spaces, both in Britain and abroad, during 2017. In addition to illustrating around 150 paintings, the publication features installation views from many of these exhibitions, giving both context and a sense of scale to the works.

The anthology features the work of forty artists at various stages in their careers, from high-profile, internationally renowned artists to up-and-coming names. Featured artists and exhibitions include: Tom Anholt at Mikael Andersen, Copenhagen; Gillian Carnegie at Cabinet, London; Andrew Cranston at Wilkinson, London; Kaye Donachie at Le Plateau, Frac Ile-de-France, Paris; Nick Goss at Josh Lilley, London; Lubaina Himid at Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe; Ryan Mosley at Eigen + Art, Leipzig; Chris Ofili at Victoria Miro Venice; George Shaw at Maruani Mercier, Brussels; Raqib Shaw at The Whitworth, Manchester; Clare Woods at DCA, Dundee; and Rose Wylie at Serpentine Galleries, London.

The anthology has been compiled and written by Matt Price, who in addition to editing around fifty monographs, catalogues and books including Phaidon’s international anthologies of painting and drawing Vitamin P2 and D2, has written for magazines such as Art Monthly, Art Quarterly, ArtReview, Flash Art, Frieze and Modern Painters.

Following the success of The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting in 2018, a second volume has been created to showcase more than sixty solo exhibitions that have defined contemporary painting in Britain since the first volume.

This new, larger anthology presents the work of sixty artists born or living in Britain through documentation and discussion of solo exhibitions of their work in museums and galleries around Britain and internationally. Featuring artists at different stages of their careers, from senior figures exhibiting at major museums to emerging artists staging some of their first commercial gallery exhibitions, The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting 2 offers an overview of recent activity in the medium of painting in Britain.

Artists and venues featured in this new volume include Hurvin Anderson at Rat Hole Gallery, Tokyo; Lisa Brice at Stephen Friedman Gallery, London; Gareth Cadwallader at Josh Lilley, London; Denzil Forrester at Nottingham Contemporary; Sophie von Hellermann at Pilar Corrias, London; Matthew Krishanu at Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham; Joy Labinjo at BALTIC, Gateshead; France-Lise McGurn at Simon Lee, London; Benjamin Senior at BolteLang, Zurich; Anj Smith at MOSTYN, Llandudno; Tim Stoner at Modern Art, London; and Phoebe Unwin at Towner Eastbourne.

The anthology, which features cover artwork by Jadé Fadojutimi from her spring 2019 solo exhibition at PEER, London, has been compiled and written by London-based editor and writer Matt Price, who in addition to editing more than fifty monographs, catalogues and books including Phaidon’s international anthologies of painting and drawing Vitamin P2 and D2, has written for magazines such as Art Monthly, Art Quarterly, ArtReview, Flash Art, Frieze and Modern Painters.

Endorsements for the first volume of The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting:

"This insightful, richly illustrated anthology is a celebration of an artistic medium that is not only surviving but positively thriving. In discussing the work of [...] diverse painters, author Matt Price proves a passionate and engaging artworld guide to British painting today." - Helen Sumpter, Editor, Art Quarterly, ART FUND

"It is hard to believe that nobody has thought to publish an anthology of this sort before, so valuable is it to current and future curators, artists and scholars, as well as audiences interested in the medium. A highly enjoyable read." - Charlotte Keenan McDonald, Curator of British Art, Walker Art Gallery / National Museums Liverpool.