With its eye-popping fluorescent colours and mutating fonts, Shonky: The Aesthetics of Awkwardness defies the rules of good taste.

In this compact but highly original publication, artist John Walter identifies a 'shonky' tendency in art that has previously gone under the radar, bringing into focus artworks that are hand-made but not well crafted, that push the boundaries of good taste and orderliness. Walter illustrates his theory with examples of awkward, funny, exuberant art from across the past forty years, ranging from sculpture and performance to painting and architecture. Novelists Zoë Strachan and Louise Welsh broaden this exploration of the shonky into the world of literature in their 'Letter from Monkswood', while in 'The Shonky Factor' Walter assesses a list of artists for their shonkiness levels.

Artists and architects include: Arakawa and Madeline Gins, Cosima von Bonin, Benedict Drew, Justin Favela, Duggie Fields, Louise Fishman, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Kate Lepper, Andrew Logan, Plastique Fantastique, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jacolby Satterwhite, Tim Spooner and John Walter.

Paperback

80 pages

50 illustrations

22.5 x 16.5 cm

ISBN 978 1 85332 356 0

RRP £14

Hayward Gallery Publishing