Desire and Betrayal in 1990s London Art World: A Novelistic Cocktail
The paperback edition of Kingsley Amis’s novel Lucky Jim received high praise from a review by William Somerset Maugham. However, the realities of the protagonists in Peter Carty’s novel Art reflect a different, unprepossessing side of the art scene. The book portrays a toxic mix of desire and betrayal within the young artist community of 1990s Shoreditch/ Hoxton. Gentrification eventually swept away the gritty scene, as developers capitalized on the energy of the art world while erasing its original conditions. Art cleverly captures the spirit of the time, showcasing artworks that feel authentic to the era. Although the novel may come across as a pastiche of literary fiction, it still provides an entertaining read. Ultimately, Art offers a glimpse into a brief period in which characters navigate through a tumultuous London art scene.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.