dale adcock

Dale Adcock: The Feel Of A Book In Your Hand

Phil Treagus-Evans

Dale Adcock’s reading list

9 books mentioned in this interview

  1. Modern Man in Search of a Soul · Carl Jung
  2. Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales · Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm
  3. 13 Artists Children Should Know · Angela Wenzel
  4. Moby Dick · Herman MelvilleRecommended 18 times
  5. Lolita · Vladimir NabokovRecommended 11 times
  6. The Gulag Archipelago · Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
  7. Night Studio: A Memoir of Philip Guston by his Daughter · Mussa Mayer
  8. Titian: His Life · Sheila Hale
  9. Darkness Moves: An Henri Michaux Anthology, 1927-1984 · Henri Michaux

Rank these books in a tier list

Dale Adcock is an artist who received his MA in Fine Art from the Chelsea College of Art & Design, where he graduated in 2015. Dale Adcock is known for his subversive reinterpretations historical narratives, imagine monuments and ancient structures. I stumbled upon Dale’s work I discovered he was feature on 100 Painters of Tomorrow, authored by Kurt Beers. Dale Adcock has had his work exhibited both in solo and group exhibitions all around the world, but perhaps most notably at Ratio at the TJ Boulting in London in 2013, and Perfectionism at the Griffin Gallery in also in London 2014, as well as some exhibitions in Los Angeles. I was excited to learn what role books have played in the talented artist’s life and career. Please enjoy my interview with Dale Adcock…

When someone asks you ‘what do you do for a living?’ – How do you respond?

With a smile…

What are you reading at the moment?

I am currently reading Modern Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Jung and I’m also currently reading Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm with our little girl.

What’s your earliest memory of reading?

My earliest memory would be watching my sister read.

If you could encourage young people to read one book in particular, what would it be?

I think young people should read whatever book makes them smile and ask questions.

Did you demonstrate an affinity with art as a child?

When I was nine years old I made a painting of Tutankhamun’s death mask which was awarded a gold star. That was it: the deal was done.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

Being a shy forgetful pubescent waiter at a restaurant that specialised in Hen parties.

What two pieces of advice would you give a young aspiring artist?

Be authentic with your work and present when you make it.

Who would you say are the three artists that continue to inspire you?

I have a changing pantheon of artists that inspire me depending on mood. Today I’m inspired by Piero della Francesca, Raymond Pettibon and Donald Judd.

Do you read as much as you’d like to?

No, I have very busy life at the moment. I would like to make more time to read and day dream.

What books do you feel are important reading for people on your career path?

I was lucky to study History of Art, where I was shown this extended family back through time that had done what I wanted to do. I was captivated and avidly read history of art, but you can’t read history of art without reading history, religion, philosophy, theology and fiction. So art became the prism through which I read about the world. I bought my daughter 13 Artists Children Should Know by Angela Wenzel. That is a good start I guess…

Is there a book that you’ve read more than once? What is it and why did you revisit it?

Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I must have read it three or four times. It is the greatest book of the imagination and works on so many different levels the more you read it.

I recommend Moby Dick by Herman Melville a lot! It is a running joke among my friends and family!

Do you think there is a relationship between books and art?

I have met a lot of paintings in books that made me want to see them in person.

What’s your favourite genre of book?

I don’t really have a favourite genre of books.

What do you think a world without books would be like?

Terrible: where would we escape to?

Is there an author whose writing you’re such a fan of, that you’ll read everything they release?

I recently read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and now can’t stop reading his work.

Do you think digital books will ever completely replace real books?

I am not sure. I do love the feel of a book in the hand…

What book do you feel humanity needs most right now?

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

What is the book that you feel has had the single biggest impact on your life?

Again, I’d have to say Moby Dick by Herman Melville!

Are there any books you haven’t mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?

Night Studio: A Memoir of Philip Guston by his Daughter by Mussa Mayer is a fascinating and tragic portrait of a great artist. Titian: His Life by Sheila Hale is fantastic. Darkness Moves: An Henri Michaux Anthology, 1927-1984 by Henri Michaux is phenomenal. I like his paintings, but his writing is terrifying, tragic and funny especially “My Properties”, a darkly funny prose about the psycho geography (or lack of) of his imagination.

What books or subject matter do you plan on reading in the next year?

I would like to finish reading The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

If you were to write an autobiography – what would it be called?

Sphinx.

If you’d like to learn more about Dale Adcock, you can find his work on his website and Twitter.

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