Joan Jonas: I know why they left, printed in conjunction with the 2019 exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, is an artist's book featuring full-color reproductions of a new series of drawings by this seminal artist. As an artist-in-residence, Jonas gravitated towards the vast array of mythical and archetypal animals present in the Gardner's collection. Drawn from objects made of lace, stone, metal, wood, and ceramic, or found in tapestries and paintings, the animal figures allude to the importance of nature's life force in the face of disruptive human presence. In this book, Jonas's ability to conjur wonder, fear, and humor through poetic imagery continues to work its magic. (page [4] of cover) Includes reproductions of the artwork, a catalog of the exhibit, poetry, and an interview with Jonas --