Vitamin C+: Collage in Contemporary Art

Over 100 global artists working with collage, as chosen by art experts, now available in paperback for the first time

Collage is an artistic language comprising found images, fragmentary forms, and unexpected juxtapositions. While it first gained status as high art in the early twentieth century, the past decade has seen a fresh explosion of artists using this dynamic and experimental approach to image making. Taking a broad definition – from analog cut-and-paste compositions and photomontages to digital composed imagery and animations – Vitamin C+, now available in paperback, showcases 108 living artists who employ collage as a central part of their visual-art practice, as selected by 69 leading experts, including museum directors, curators, critics, and collectors. The survey also features an engaging and informative introduction by Yuval Etgar, an internationally renowned expert in the area.

Organised in an A-Z sequence by artist, the book features both well-known collagists including Njideka Akunyili Crosby; Ellen Gallagher; Peter Kennard; Linder, Christian Marclay; Wangechi Mutu; Deborah Roberts; Martha Rosler; and Mickalene Thomas, and a plethora of lesser-known names deserving of greater attention.

The 69 expert nominators include: Cecilia Alemani; Iwona Blazwick; David Campany; Raphael Chikukwa; Patrick Elliott; Max Hollein; Hettie Judah; Christine Macel; Roxana Marcoci; Duro Olowu; Scott Rothkopf; Russell Tovey; Zoe Whitley; and Heidi Zuckerman.

The 108 artists featured include: Njideka Akunyili Crosby; Kader Attia; Adam Broomberg; Sara Cwynar; Moyna Flannigan; Ellen Gallagher; Lauren Halsey; Lyle Ashton Harris; Thomas Hirschhorn; Peter Kennard; Justine Kurland; Linder; Christian Marclay; Wangechi Mutu; Frida Orupabo; Heather Philipson; Tabita Rezaire; Deborah Roberts; Martha Rosler; Dee Shapiro; Eva Stenram; John Stezaker; Mickalene Thomas; Kara Walker; and Billie Zangewa.

Review

Praise for the hardback edition of Vitamin C+:

'Contemporary artists utilize collage to create complex social, political, and aesthetic narratives in latest Phaidon tome.' – Forbes

'A fresh explosion of dynamic and experimental artists has evolved the art form over the past decade; Vitamin C+ serves as a who’s who of the most exciting names working in the medium.' – Barron's

'If you have ever overlooked collage and considered it as a lesser art medium or a refined form of craft, Phaidon’s new Vitamin C+ Collage in Contemporary Art is a definitive book that will completely change your mind.' – Daily Art Magazine

About the Author

Phaidon Editors

Yuval Etgar is a curator and art historian who specialises in the history and theory of collage and image appropriation. His curated and published work includes The Ends of Collage, an anthology of writings on the history and theory of this practice, as well as monographic projects dedicated to the work of Louise Nevelson, Jake Chapman, John Stezaker, Fischli & Weiss, and René Magritte, among others.