Art Rules! (And how to break them)

This publication, however, offers a helping hand to arms outstretched and ready to throw the rulebook out the window.

Art Rules! (and how to break them)  by Mel Gooding is published by Redstone press and takes the form of a box containing a book and a series illustrated cards, aiming to show readers “how modern art works, and to look at it creatively , with new eyes”.

As if to drive that point home even further, the inside lid of the box shouts artist Joseph Beuys’ quote: “Every human being is an artist”.

Each of the 42 cards in the box shows a modern art work, with text on the other side explaining not just the details of the image and its maker, but also showing how readers can use the work as inspiration for their own creativity.

The card for Anthony Gormley’s Field installation, for instance, shows the cute little terracotta critters as a starting point from which users can explore making art through multiplying an object or an image.

Another of our favourite cards is Figures in a Landscape by Tim Davies, a cut postcard that shows figures in front of a mountain, with their full forms only visible as a reflection in the water. Readers are tasked with creating their own version by cutting out a significant part of an existing postcard.

Thanks to this unassuming little box, we can all set about staging our own mini art rebellions. Just so long as we follow the instructions on the cards.

Art Rules! (and how to break them) is published by Redstone Press on 22 October priced £19.95. Redstone is offering 10% off everything (including Art Rules!) this month at the website www.theredstoneshop.com.  The code for the discount off is Autumn10 when you reach the checkout.