Art Is Life: Icons and Iconoclasts, Visionaries and Vigilantes, and Flashes of Hope in the Night

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Jerry Saltz, a prominent voice in the art world since the 1990s, passionately advocates for the significance of art in our cultural life. Renowned for his wit and provocation, he has drawn contemporary readers to fine art and championed overlooked women artists, as well as marginalized creators from African American and LGBTQ+ communities. In Art Is Life, Saltz presents a real-time survey of contemporary art, reflecting on how it serves as a barometer of our times, especially during pivotal moments like 9/11 and ongoing social crises. He offers insightful appraisals of influential artists such as Kara Walker, David Wojnarowicz, and Jasper Johns, alongside provocateurs like Jeff Koons and Marina Abramović. Saltz also discusses significant works, including the Obama portraits by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, and reflects on troubling events like the Ankara gallery assassination. Sharing personal anecdotes from his haunted childhood and experiences as a "failed artist," he recounts transformative encounters with masterpieces by Botticelli and Delacroix. With his characteristic candor, Saltz emphasizes the vital role of fearless artists, reminding us that art is a powerful expression of human experience and a crucial lens through which to view our world.