Living things

‘Living Things’ is the first book from the German artist B.D. Graft, whose light, graphic style recalls Matisse’s cut-outs mixed with Bauhaus-era design and Pop Art levity. In the book, foliage and fruit play a central role, as does colour. The book includes key works from Graft’s ongoing series of plants in vases — collages and paintings of gestural foliage emerging from boldly hued vessels — and emphasises the artist’s playful side. For example, in an oil pastel titled “Pot Head,” a loosely rendered, fleshy figure has a big blue planter for a head. “Making art brightens up my day,” Graft explains, “and I’d like to pass that feeling on to the observer.”