In his introduction to this fascinating and timely anthology, Dave Beech tackles the politics of beauty, arguing with characteristic clarity that beauty is neither purely individual and subjective, nor is it entirely socially inscribed, rather it exists at the point of tension between the individual and society. It is thus political in the true sense because we can bring about changes in our perception of beauty. If, back in 1993, Dave Hickey resurrected the idea of beauty in art from the critical 'dead zone' into which it had been consigned, then with this anthology Beech has not only revivified the debate about the politics of beauty but he has brought it up to date." --Patricia Bickers, Editor, "Art Monthly, " and Principal Lecturer, History and Theory of Art, University of Westminster, London