There has been a huge injection of energy within contemporary painting in Britain in the past few years - part of a wider international dynamic that has seen the medium of paint explored with a renewed sense of interest, excitement and enjoyment. It is an energy that can be sensed all the way through the industry, from the art schools and the grass-roots painting community to the leading galleries, major museums and prominent festivals, biennials and art fairs. The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting considers and celebrates the work of forty artists whose practices have been shaping and defining Britain's contribution to current painting on the national and international stage.

The anthology documents the work of the invited artists by means of forty solo exhibitions in public museums and galleries, as well as in commercial, independent and artist-led spaces, both in Britain and abroad, during 2017. The publication features around 160 images, including installation views from many of these exhibitions, giving both context and a sense of scale to the works.

The anthology features the work of forty artists at various stages in their careers, from high-profile, internationally renowned artists to up-and-coming names. Featured artists and exhibitions include: Tom Anholt at Mikael Andersen, Copenhagen; Gillian Carnegie at Cabinet, London; Andrew Cranston at Wilkinson, London; Kaye Donachie at Le Plateau, Frac Ile-de-France, Paris; Nick Goss at Josh Lilley, London; Lubaina Himid at Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe; Ryan Mosley at Eigen + Art, Leipzig; Chris Ofili at Victoria Miro Venice; George Shaw at Maruani Mercier, Brussels; Raqib Shaw at The Whitworth, Manchester; Clare Woods at DCA, Dundee; and Rose Wylie at Serpentine Galleries, London.

The anthology has been compiled and written by Matt Price, who in addition to editing around fifty monographs, catalogues and books including Phaidon's international anthologies of painting and drawing Vitamin P2 and D2, has written for magazines such as Art Monthly, Art Quarterly, ArtReview, Flash Art, Frieze and Modern Painters.