American artist Joel Shapiro (b. 1941) is best known for his monumental wood and metal sculptures of abstracted human forms. Less familiar, however, is his work in a variety of other media--particularly plaster, which Shapiro has turned to repeatedly during his long career. In this fascinating book, Pamela Franks examines how the artist's explorations in plaster echo throughout his frequently shifting art practice, inspiring works in wood, wire, paper,...