City Seen: Artists' Views of St. John's 1785-2010, available from late November 2011, is the first publication from WinterPlace Projects.
Developed and written by curator and long-time gallery director Patricia Grattan, the 136-page book features 138 works of art from public and private collections. Some works are from the original artists' private collection and most are rarely or never accessible to the general public. The book's text includes an essay, biographical information on the artists, excerpts from historical journals, and poems by four contemporary Newfoundland writers.
Beautifully designed by Vessela Brakalova, City Seen includes unique fore-edge images, a feature that harks back to 17th century European book design. Printed on 115-lb. Hanno Art Silk stock, with sewn bindings and foil-stamped covers.
Softcover - ISBN 978-0-0877279-1-6 $44.95 (with HST $47.20)
Hardcover - ISBN 978-0-9877279-0-9 $59.95 (with HST $62.95)
HARDCOVER VERSION HAS BEEN SOLD OUT
The book was produced with generous support from the City of St. John's and the Gill Ratcliffe Foundation.
The rich array of artworks spans 225 years, ranging in subjects and medium. It includes watercolours from an 18th century Royal Navy logbook; paintings by official Marine Painters to King George III; a "bird's eye view" panoramic map of 1879 St. John's; historic and contemporary depictions of the Regatta; Official War Artists' paintings of the war-time city; and more contemporary depictions of streetscapes, parks, events, people, and the harbour. All combining to reflect the texture, colour and distinctive nature of St. John's.
