*light shelf wear, marked on top (see pic) Profiles the work of twenty-eight surface design artists and includes commentary from the artists on their creative processes and influences. For centuries, textiles have been enhanced by endless combinations of prints, dyes, and embellishments. As recently as the 1950s and 1960s, the surface design movement erupted as artists reacted against mundane, functional textiles and sought to create one-of-a-kind artworks. Today, surface design has skyrocketed as new dyes and dazzling patterns and concepts complement age-old techniques. This focus, on 28 leading contemporary surface design artists, concentrates on the diverse composition of work this art form has generated. The artists discuss their creative processes and influences that envelop each work. Art mediums from appliqu{‚}e and beads to wax resist and vinyl are transformed into objects ranging from clothing textiles to wall hangings. The introduction, penned by surface design pioneer Westphal, whose experimentations were influential in this field's development, records and expounds on the birth of the surface design explosion. Approximately 200 full-color plates embellish this trove of innovations that constitute the art of surface design. It will assuredly become part of all library textile and art collections. Janet Lawrence