Louise Bourgeois - To Unravel a Torment

This book delves into the impactful work of Louise Bourgeois, highlighting her emotional and psychological explorations through various artistic mediums.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the psychologically, emotionally, and often sexually charged work of Louise Bourgeois. Celebrated for her unique contributions to 20th-century art, Bourgeois's creations spanned various mediums including sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking, installation, and writing. Her artistic journey was deeply rooted in her personal experiences, with Bourgeois herself stating, My goal is to relive a past emotion; my art is an exorcism. This intimate connection to her past is evident in the way her art intertwines the abstract with the corporeal, creating pieces that evoke both beauty and discomfort.

Louise Bourgeois: To Unravel a Torment accompanies the first exhibition of her work at Glenstone Museum, showcasing over 30 significant pieces from the museum's collection. The exhibition highlights a range of her works, from her early wooden Personages to her large hanging sculptures, as well as her drawings, prints, textile works, and immersive Cells. This survey not only presents her artistic evolution but also invites viewers to engage with the complexities of her creative expression.

In addition to her visual art, Bourgeois was a prolific writer, offering deep insights into her psyche through her writings on repression, symbolism, and materiality. The book features previously unpublished diary entries, annotated by Bourgeois scholar Philip Larratt-Smith, along with contributions from art historian Briony Fer and an introduction by Glenstone Museum's founder, Emily Wei Rales. Together, these elements provide a rich context for understanding Bourgeois's profound impact on contemporary art.