The Facts
On September 10, 2026, the Barbican Centre announced the publication of 'Robert Ryman: The Real Thing', a monograph celebrating the late American artist Robert Ryman (1930–2019). The book is published with Pre-Echo Press and is edited by Wells Fray-Smith, curator of the exhibition at the Barbican, and Matt Connors, painter and founder of Pre-Echo Press. It coincides with the landmark exhibition 'Robert Ryman: The Real Thing' on display at the Barbican from October 8, 2026 to February 28, 2027. The volume features contributions from artists, writers, and musicians including Darby English, Roni Horn, Howardena Pindell, Richard Tuttle, and Caleb Azumah Nelson, alongside previously unseen archival material and a comprehensive chronology by Amber Li.
The Signal
The monograph, which includes 105 full-page color plates, is designed by Studio Mathias Clottu as a tactile object with a bespoke white double jacket, reflecting Ryman's attention to materials. It is the first substantial English-language publication on Ryman's work since his death in 2019. This release underscores the Barbican's strategy of producing companion publications that deepen engagement with its exhibitions, offering collectors and scholars a definitive resource on Ryman's practice. With a retail price of £45.00/$75.00 and distribution by DAP worldwide, the book is positioned as a key reference for understanding Ryman's exploration of painting's materiality, marking a significant contribution to the literature on post-war American art.
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- Artists: Robert Ryman
- People: Wells Fray-Smith, Matt Connors, Darby English, Roni Horn, Howardena Pindell, Richard Tuttle, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Adam Caruso, Fergus Feehily, Soweto Kinch, Adam Pendleton, Shanay Jhaveri, Erica Cooke, Peter Osborne, Amber Li
- Museums: Barbican Centre
- Locations: London
- Prices: £45.00, $75.00
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