BOOK REVIEW; ADDING THE BLUE by Chrissie Hynde

Shane | 26 February 2019 | Reply

BOOK REVIEW; ADDING THE BLUE by Chrissie Hynde
Genesis Publications
November 2018
Hard cover, $79.99
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

Art
72%

This intriguing collection of artworks by punk pioneer and pop rock mainstay Chrissie Hynde follows her recent attempts to find her artistic voice during some downtime in The Pretenders’ rock and roll schedule.

Not a great master by any stretch, Hynde’s paintings are fascinating more by the nature of their evolution. By presenting them mostly chronologically we can see how she progresses as an artist, how she finds new meaning to colour and form and explores stylistically to find her own niche.

In a sense it’s a masterclass of her own artistic journey.

For fans of her music, it provides an insight into her psyche. Her captions to these works – almost 200 in total – are full of her sometimes acerbic wit, while the paintings themselves are vibrant with her irrepressible energy. Legendary producer and musician Brian Eno calls them “full of life, love and discovery” in his foreword.

Sure, Hynde can probably afford all the canvases and paints she could ever hope to use – there is mention of these paintings done in various locations around the world – whereas for most of us that would be a luxury item at best. But the vivacity and progression shown in her paintings make the artform seem accessible to anyone with a modicum of talent, especially when it’s considered that she has taken this journey without any kind of formal training.