Agnes Martin and Me

I've always been able to separate out the person from the artist, but I have to admit, Agnes Martin, as depicted here, was a challenge. This is not the Agnes Martin one meets in "With My Back to the World," the lovable, self-reliant, wise old philosopher owl. Agnes is clearly mentally unstable, possibly bi-polar or worse, and treats her dedicated colleague with an indifference and a cruelty that borders on sadistic. That Woodman admits to his own emotional infirmities is in his favor. What his book drove home to me more than anything is how treacherous the pursuit of art can be, what a constant emotional, economic, psychological and physical strain the artist's life can be. It really is, for many, a vocation, bordering on the monastic. Anyone thinking of pursuing art professionally should probably read this. Martin's observations on her relationship with her NY art dealer, her contention that Mark Rothko was murdered by his own dealer, and watching Woodman barter, scrape and beg just to stay afloat, is at once revelatory and infuriating.

To begin, I love the work od Agnes Martin, having had the luck to see her retrospective at the Guggenheim in NYC recently. This book finally seems to crack the myth of the reclusive artist. Her mental illness has been spoken about, but in small doses. This book shows the view of someone close to her and the pinball machine like emotional time it was with her as a friend. To me, it made Agnes Martin human which did't dispel the amazingness of her work. In the end, like anyone else on this earth, she was flawed and the stories in this book show that is stark detail. Kudos for Mr. Woodman for writing it and not sounding like a sycophant but like someone who was a friend for one hell of a strange ride. Not a curator or collector, this s a memoir that is radically different than most and a must read for people who love Agnes Martin's work and writings.

A very interesting read. Was extremely well written - and fascinating insight into the demons and passions that drove a very gifted artist. Narcissism is alive and well in the artist community - does success as an artist require a total devotion to self and self interests? I live in the neighborhood and stories abound about Agnes - but it seems few really knew her.

As a resident of the Santa Fe area, there are those here who recall well this extraordinary and personally "difficult" artist. This sensitive, balanced, insightful, and extraordinarily interesting, memoir is a treasure concerning the mystery of The Life and The Art.There is a beautiful room dedicated to Martin's work in the newly expanded San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. No photograph or reproduction will ever capture their luminous physical presence. It's a matter of having to be there, and the background of Donald Woodman's memoir adds so much more to being able to do that.

Fascinating account of photographer Donald Woodman's seven years living near the aloof, renowned artist Agnes Martin. Generous with his time and skill in building her an adobe home and studio, and providing basic amenities in remote New Mexico with no renumeration, Woodman candidly describes their interactions and her quirky demands, while he endured primitive living conditions. Compassionate, respectful, loyal and supportive to Martin despite harsh treatment, Woodman gives readers an intriguing look at this artist's eccentric personality and lifestyle.

This is a memoir of a neighbor who interacted with Agnes Martin. Portrays her as rather grumpy. I was hoping for insights into her work.

I have stood in front of the minimalist work of Agnes Martin - observing how much can be shared in such quiet work. The mystique surrounding the artist has always been intriguing. "Agnes Martin and Me" by Donald Woodman gives a glimpse into the mystique - giving it real substance. The unexpected bonus of this intimate book is the timeline of Donald Woodman's career as one of today's most accomplished photographers.

Have been a long time Agnes Martin admirer so ordered this in hopes of getting more insight into her life and career. Unfortunately, I found this book to be not only self serving, but poorly written and at times exploitative.

Contrary to what some reviewers have said, I didn't find the contents of this book sought to take anything away from the 'magic' of Martin's work. Perhaps they even enrich the reading of the works, time will tell. Agnes Martin was a human, not a god. People who tend to put 'A'rtists on pedestals would do well to remember this fact. As such this is a book about the working-relationship between two humans in the world: Agnes Martin and Donald Woodman. It's the account of a life lived with an artist, by their assistant and the consequential highs and lows experienced.Like the passing forth of the Rothko book referenced in this one, I would suggest any young artist read this before taking employment as an artist's assistant ;-)

Un anglais qui se lit assez facilement pour en savoir plus sur la personnalité de l'artiste plutôt que sur sa façon de travailler au quotidien : je reste sur ma faim !