One could say the home is a form of blank canvas. It holds literal space for expression and taste. The interiors offer a glimpse into the owner’s personality, where colour, shape and form are the pieces of their unique puzzle. The walls are lined with curated artworks, each conveying an unspoken message from the artist to the audience. And the coffee table captures the essence of the homeowner’s mind, offering an exploration into their topics of interest.
It goes without saying that books are an expansion of the mind, and coffee table books are no exception. Though a relatively minute detail, a well-curated stack speaks lengths to who one is. Much like a customised playlist or bedside arsenal of skincare ‘empties’, the books on a coffee table are an extension of who you are. It’s a facet of what intrigues and captivates your mind and time. From fine art and fashion figures to product design and architecture, it reveals a great deal of its purveyor.
In the creative realm, coffee table books are also treasured items to collect. Where lines of text are seen as an art form, and the value lies in the stories they tell. Every title is a gathering of proud works trapped within the pages, transporting the reader directly into the artist’s very own gallery. For the fine art enthusiast, consider David Hockney. A Bigger Book and Iván Tovar Masterpieces as either title comprehensively highlights the renowned artists’ life’s work. The fashion-forward may indulge in The Domestic Stage: When Fashion Image Comes Home, where the role of the domestic space in photography is explored and redefined through a sartorial lens.
Below, Vogue Singapore curates a list of the best art coffee table books to dress your home with.
1 / 9
David Hockney. A Bigger Book edited by Hans Werner Holzwarth
A deep-dive into the British pop artist’s life’s work, presenting a vibrant range of more than 60 years of portraits, drawings and Yorkshire landscapes. Designed by Marc Newson in close collaboration with Hockney himself, David Hockney. A Bigger Book is the artist’s personal visual survey of vivid hues and extraordinary sense of the world around him.
2 / 9
Yves Saint Laurent at Home by Jacques Grange
Get an intimate look into the life and home of unparalleled couturier Yves Saint Laurent. As a trailblazer of contemporary fashion and ardent collector of art, there’s no doubt that the world he created in his abode is one of vigour, personality and imagination.
3 / 9
The Domestic Stage: When Fashion Image Comes Home by Adam Murray
The home is a central part of life. Here, the role of domesticity and space is examined through fashion photography and image-making, revealing intimate, candid frames of personal stories and relationships.
4 / 9
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers edited by Naomi Beckwith and Andrea Karnes
In collaboration with The Guggenheim New York and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, A Poem for Deep Thinkers is a visual catalogue of Rashid Johnson’s creative career. Through his work, he positions himself within three spheres: an art history scholar, a mediator of Black popular culture, and a contemporary artist in an era of rapid globalisation.
5 / 9
Peter Schlesinger Sculpture by Acne Studios
Acne Paper commemorates the tenth anniversary of its collaborative exhibition with sculptor Peter Schlesinger. It populates a selection of his more intimate ceramic works, featuring trees, plants and human figures, an emblem of growth, gesture and connection.
6 / 9
Iván Tovar Masterpieces by Julie Belcove
Art writer Julie Belcove documents the work and life of Iván Tovar, the revered Dominican Surrealist. His distinctive artwork is marked by geometric forms and organic motifs against inky backdrops, creating unforgettable pieces that continue to inspire.
7 / 9
Hokusai by Andreas Marks
Best known for his iconic ‘The Great Wave’ woodblock print, Hokusai is arguably the most distinguished artist of Edo Japan. Here, more than 700 of his prints, paintings and sketches are reproduced to create an extensive volume. It also features rarely reprinted artworks, sourced from institutions worldwide.
8 / 9
Calatrava. Complete Works 1979–Today. Art Edition ‘Transfigured Tree. Messenger of Light’, 2023 by Philip Jodidio
A jack of architectural, engineering and sculptor trades, Santiago Calatrava is the brainchild behind acclaimed buildings and structures across the world, from the Athens Olympic Sports Complex to the UAE Pavilion at World Expo in 2020. Take a page out of his innovative mind with this monograph that outlines detailed entries, photography and his original watercolour sketches that exhibits his prowess for aesthetics and dynamism.
9 / 9
Acne Paper Issue 20: Golden by Acne Studios
Acne Paper celebrates its twentieth anniversary in glimmering gold with its ‘Golden’ issue, embarking on a reflective journey that stores fashion stories, essays, interviews and portfolios. Each tale sparks hope for humanity in fast-paced times of uncertainty. Contributors include creative collaborators from Leslie Zhang and Audrey Hu to Szilvester Makó and Lisa Jarvis.
