Astrology in Art Book Launch and Talk at Artwords Clarence Road

Join us to celebrate the launch of Astrology in Art by Ferren Gipson at Artwords Clarence Road with a talk by the author followed by Q&A
About this Event

From 12th century cathedrals to Surrealist paintings and modern sculpture, art historian Ferren Gipson traces a stunning visual history of Western astrology, demonstrating the significance of celestial symbolism to explore ideas about time, belief and human experience. This broad selection of artworks offers an art-centred perspective on how astrological symbolism has been used in religious, social and cultural contexts, while also recognising astrology’s changing status as a field of study over time.

In the foreword of the book, British astrologer and historian of cultural astronomy, Nicholas Campion writes that ‘Gipson’s text flows beautifully, introducing each work and its creator in turn. The book is a visual feast, containing a wealth of images to be enjoyed in themselves, on their own terms. But it’s also a valuable resource, a timely reminder of how cosmic currents embedded in classical philosophy and nurtured through medieval culture, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, are alive and well in modern Western culture.

Ferren Gipson is a British-American art historian, writer, artist, teacher and broadcaster. She is the author of Women's Work (Frances Lincoln, 2022), The Ultimate Art Museum (Phaidon, 2021) and The Art Book for Children (Phaidon, 2024). She also hosts the Art Matters podcast.