Objects of Obsession - Tapa dura

Slade trained, North London educated, married for fifty years to Anthony Green (her art school boyfriend) two daughters, a trio of grandchildren and still stitching her objects of obsession at 73.... Not really a plausible recipe for a proper modern artist! But on closer inspection, Mary Cozens-Walker seems to have arrived in the company of those eccentrics, loners and visionaries who carry the reputation of English "Mock Sublime" on their shoulders. Very little escapes her wit and loving attention. The maiden aunts make numerous appearances. Mary and her family are the actors in very personal tableaux which are executed in relief, with exquisite craft and in quite breathtaking detail. Nothing escapes her beady eye: from flowers and Christmas tree baubles to terriers and a collection of teapots. Even her breasts are remade in paint and bullion knots while an amorous Anthony nestles in hundreds of forget-me-nots. This 88 page hardcover book contains over 100 full colour illustrations with text by Cozens-Walker herself as well as a number of eminent curators, writers and critics. Together they combine to produce a fascinating and revealing portrait of a remarkable and unusual artist, their words enhanced by beautifully reproduced images of her work. Mary draws with stitch. Hers is a small world. She makes ours larger.