About the Author

Jennifer Higgie is an Australian writer who lives in London. Previously the editor of frieze magazine, she has written and illustrated a children's book There's Not One; is the author of the novel Bedlam and is the author of The Mirror and the Palette: Rebellion, Revolution and Resilience--Five Hundred Years of Women's Self Portraits, also available from Pegasus Books.

Reviews

"In her new book The Other Side, Jennifer Higgie pays tribute to celebrated and lesser-known women artists whose work intersected with the occult. The book lands at an important time in the evolving history of spirituality and art. The book's strength is in naming, examining, and historicizing what is so often under-discussed in art, especially art by women. Those transcendental experiences we can have with powerful works of art are by design."--Hyperallergic

"Fascinating and heretical to the art historical canon, this title gives readers the opportunity to learn about the complex history of the spiritual in art and encourages them to let their imaginations roam."--Library Journal

"The strength of Higgie's book is that it is not merely another treatise on the wrongs suffered by women artists throughout history. This tale is about something much larger than grievance. There is a vein of optimism and wonder running through the text. The women whom Higgie profiles created, and they did so despite cultural scorn. No doubt Higgie's exploits will resonate with many readers."--Mary Gabriel, The New York Times Book Review

"A globetrotting survey of the role women and spiritualism have played in modern art. Higgie eschews definitive conclusions about the connections among spiritualism, women artists, and modern art, but she paints a variety of compelling portraits. An illuminating commentary on much more than art, demonstrating how new ideas and cultural shifts take hold."--Kirkus Reviews

"The Other Side lit up my brain. A radical, fascinating exploration of art and the otherworldly, Higgie is an expert and erudite guide in this brilliant reclamation of female artists."-- "Sinead Gleeson, author of Constellations"

"An entrancing look at formerly neglected artists who navigated thresholds between this world and the next, and a crucial exploration of realms formerly dismissed. Elegantly expanded my thinking on the eternal mystery of where art comes from."-- "Jennifer Lucy Allan, author of The Foghorn's Lament"

"In effervescent and atmospheric prose, Jennifer Higgie explores some of history's most innovative artists and their spiritual investigations into this realm and the next. I was entranced from start to finish, as she takes us on both a personal and artistic journey across time and across the globe. The Other Side is an exhilarating read."-- "Katy Hessel, author of The Story of Art Without Men "

"Jennifer Higgie is the most splendid of guides on this enthralling journey of a book. With tremendous intelligence, sensitivity and a receptivity nearly equal to that of her subjects, she leads us through a gallery of remarkable women artists whose dialogue with other realms became the font of their creativity as well as a sanctuary. Excellent, inspiring and transformative."-- "Chloe Aridjis, author of Sea Monsters"

"Wonderful. Higgie guides us through overlooked stories from the history of art and reveals the insights into the nature of imagination which reside there. Illuminating in every sense of the word."-- "John Higgs, author of William Blake vs. the World"