Synopsis:

“[In Wendy, Master of Art,] Scott manages a rare thing: the sharpness of his satire doesnt preclude a realistic rendering of personhood, and the seeming flatness opens up, at every turn, to a depth of feeling. His mastery of his characters faces and gestures is also wonderful, his line quick and sure and expressive.” The New Yorker The existential dread of making (or not making) art takes center stage in this trenchant satire of MFA culture Wendy is an aspiring contemporary artist whose adventures have taken her to galleries, art openings, and parties in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Toronto. In Wendy, Master of Art, Walter Scotts sly wit and social commentary zero in on MFA culture as our hero hunkers down to complete a master of fine arts at the University of Hell in small-town Ontario. Finally Wendy has space to refine her artistic practice, but in this calm, all of her unresolved insecurities and fears explode at full volumeusually while hungover. What is the post-Jungian object as symbol? Will she ever understand her course readingor herself? What if shes just not smart enough? As she develops as an artist and a person, Wendy also finds herself in a teaching position, mentoring a perpetually sobbing grade-grubbing undergrad. Scotts incisively funny take on art school pretensions isnt the only focus. Wendy, Master of Art explores the politics of open relationships and polyamory, performative activism, the precariousness of a life in the arts, as well as the complexities of gender identity, sex work, drug use, and more. At its heart, this is a book about the give and take of communityabout learning to navigate empathy and boundaries, and to respect herself. It is deeply funny and endlessly relatable as it shows Wendy growing from millennial art party girl to successful artist, friend, teacherand Master of Art.

Artists & Writers:
(W/A/CA) Walter Scott