The glittering gem that is the City of Gold is brilliantly captured in artists’ graphite. The greyscale carbon does not mute the dazzling sparkle of the city founded on gold but, rather, sets it ablaze in a myriad of stark contrasts; black and white, masculine and feminine, positive and negative. It speaks to the observer and reader in a delightful style that is, at once, light-hearted, informative and compelling.

Gold in Graphite – Jozi Sketchbook is a beautiful collection of sketches of some of Johannesburg’s celebrated as well as forgotten masterpieces. Done by a single artist, it is accompanied by well-crafted prose and poetry.

The artist beckons the reader to emerge from the ideologies that prevent us from engaging with the city, her people and her buildings. Each sketch takes us on a journey through time and transformation, where we discover our city and fall in love with her. Through this voyage we exult in an affair that is oblivious to the perceived crime and violence that deter ordinary people from developing a relationship with the city. While our rainbow nation rejoices in the common ground that binds us, our most celebrated city reflects division and class. Breaking through these barriers starts with an exploration of the city and an appreciation of her past with an optimistic look to her future.

A collection of legendary British artist David Hockney’s insights into art, life, nature, creativity and much more.

‘I’ve always been a looker ... that’s what artists do’

This anthology of quotations by David Hockney follows in the successful format of ‘The World According to’ series. Ranging across topics including drawing, photography, nature, creativity, the internet and much more, The World According to David Hockney offers a delightful and engaging overview of the artist’s inimitable spirit, personality and opinions.

From everyday observations – ‘The eye is always moving; if it isn’t moving you are dead’ – to artistic insights such as ‘painted colour always will be better than printed colour, because it is the pigment itself’, as well as musings on other image makers, including Caravaggio, Cézanne and Hokusai, Hockney has a knack for capturing profound truths in pithy statements.

Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, Hockney attended art school in London before moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s. There, he painted his famous swimming pool paintings, and since then has embraced a range of media including photocollage, video and digital technologies. In a 2011 poll of more than 1,000 British artists, Hockney was voted the most influential British artist of all time.

Presented as a beautifully designed and attractive package, illustrated with works of art from throughout Hockney's career, this is the perfect gift for art lovers everywhere.