September Book Bag: from Don McCullin’s powerful Vietnam images to a behind-the-scenes dive into Paula Rego’s studio

In this September Book Bag, readers are introduced to powerful Vietnam images by Don McCullin, a new collection of previously unseen texts and images from his 16 visits to the war-torn country. McCullin, who covered the conflict for The Sunday Times, reflects on the 58,000 American soldiers who died and the 300,000 wounded during the 1968 Battle of Hue. The collection also includes his helmet with "Times England" emblazoned on the side and his muddied compass.

Portuguese-born artist Paula Rego, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 87, was known for her dark visual storytelling. Marina Warner, in her obituary for Rego, described her as a "storyteller in pictures" who defied condescension towards illustrative work and literary references. Art critic Anthony Rudolf, Rego's partner for 26 years, sheds light on the creative process of Rego, sharing insights into the behind-the-scenes world of her studio.

Meanwhile, Andy Holden's universe is explored in a book that defies his signature style. Holden's work spans various mediums, from lectures and theoretical frameworks to painting and sculpture. Pieces featured include "Structure of Feeling" (2020), an immersive ghost ride through a "post-cartoon landscape." The book is described as a "vivid account of the life they shared and what it was like to inhabit the looking-glass world of Rego's studio."

Finally, the collaboration between Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri and Scottish-born artist Rosemary Clunie is highlighted. Their decade-long partnership explores life's vicissitudes against the backdrop of wars and climate change, drawing inspiration from various artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Cezanne, Jane Austen, and Virginia Woolf.