Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture Book Review and Summary

Author: Jo Baring
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Date: Expected publication 2026-11-03 APL

The eternal conundrum of the human condition—why do we create, and what does it reveal about us? Jo Baring’s Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture promises to tackle this question through the lens of one of the oldest art forms: sculpture. But can it deliver on this lofty promise, or will it succumb to the pitfalls of vague, overly ambitious art criticism?

The official synopsis reads like a laundry list of buzzwords: “memory, creativity, and being human.” It’s a tantalizing prospect, to be sure, but it’s also a recipe for disaster. How does Baring plan to tackle these weighty themes without getting bogged down in trite, superficial analysis? The answer, unfortunately, is unclear. What we do know is that the book will feature original illustrations by Julia Ashe, which may prove to be a saving grace in an otherwise meandering narrative.

But I digress. The real question on everyone’s mind is: what new insights can Baring possibly bring to the table? We’ve had countless art historians and critics tackle the subject of sculpture before, from the likes of Rosalind Krauss to Hal Foster. Can Baring’s unique perspective and storytelling style truly set her apart from the pack? I’m skeptical, but I’m also intrigued. Perhaps Baring’s lithe, intimate storytelling will prove to be the perfect antidote to the dry, academic tone that often plagues art criticism.

One thing’s for sure: Baring’s got some big names to live up to. Barbara Hepworth, Constantin Brâncuși, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, and Antony Gormley are all name-dropped in the synopsis, and it’s clear that Baring is trying to position herself alongside these art world heavyweights. But can she truly hold her own? Only time will tell.

As someone who’s spent countless hours pouring over the likes of John Berger and Susan Sontag, I’m always on the lookout for art criticism that truly challenges the status quo. Will Totem be the book that finally delivers? I’m not holding my breath, but I’m willing to give it a shot.

In the end, it all comes down to execution. Can Baring balance her ambitious themes with a narrative that’s both engaging and insightful? Or will Totem succumb to the same pitfalls that have plagued so many art criticism books before it? I’ll be keeping a close eye on this one, if only to see if Baring can truly live up to the hype.

For now, I’ll just have to sit back, pour myself a cup of coffee, and wait for the book to drop. And when it does, I’ll be sure to crack it open with a healthy dose of skepticism and a willingness to be proven wrong. But for now, I’ll just strum a melancholic tune on my out-of-tune upright piano, and wonder what could have been.

#ArtCriticism #Sculpture #BookLovers #NewRelease