Alessandro Riva

Covering Velasco's output over the twenty years from 1984-2004, Velasco 20 demonstrates the diversity of the artist's work. There are three essays and an interview, a biography, critical anthology, lists of exhibitions and awards, and a bibliography; the text is in both Italian and English.

Nearly 200 full colour images plus a few black and white photographs adorn this handsome volume, the quality of reproduction is excellent, and many of the pictures take full advantage of the books large format. Velasco's work is vibrant and energetic and exciting, much of it is representational, while some verge towards the abstract.

For me the book is let down however by the text, while the book is well designed the text is set rather small, making it a little difficult to read. But my biggest gripe is with the content, maybe it is because it has been translated from the Italian, but it is unnecessarily verbose and at times rather pretentious - I have to admit I gave up on some if it. There appears to be little direct relationship between text and specific paintings, and certainly no direct reference as to where the illustrations of the paintings can be found in the book.

But that aside the book is well worth having for the many splendid reproductions of the artist's paintings. It is a beautifully produced book which in addition to the dust jacket comes in a sturdy slip case.… (plus d'informations)