On Adrian Stokes: Literature, Art and Psychoanalysis

Please join us for seminar on the writing of the British art critic Adrian Stokes (1902-1972). Stokes is gaining renewed attention as an important figure in modernist writing, who bridged British psychoanalysis (particularly the work of Melanie Klein), Philosophy, and Art History.

The event will begin with a reading group discussion on 6 November of a pre-circulated section of Stokes’ book The Stones of Rimini, where he discusses two fundamental ways of making art and relating creatively to the world: “modeling” and “carving.”

On November 7 we will address the Philosopher Richard Wollheim’s 1972 introduction to his friend’s work, as well as hear and discuss new presentations on Stokes’ work, and on his psychoanalytic context. Speakers will include art historians Jeremy Melius (York University) and Nicholas Robbins (University College London).

Register here to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to be included, and to receive the reading material in advance.

Preliminary Schedule

6 November 4-5.30pm, Discussion of the Stones of Rimini
7 November 11-5pm, Discussion and Presentations on Stokes’ life, works and intellectual contexts

Organizers: Professor David Russell and Professor Louise Hornby, Dept of English
Sponsored by the Departments of English and Art History