A study in vulnerability and self-reflection of the American artist known for his thought-provoking hyper-realistic drawings.

Published to accompany Karl Haendel's exhibition "Less Bad", originating at the Kimball Art Center in autumn of 2024 and traveling to the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, the book highlights key thematic elements from Haendel's 25-year artistic output, focusing in on the artist's exploration of masculinity, tenderness, friendship, introspection and vulnerability through drawing. The book includes a complete set of installation images from the exhibition, plates highlighting essential works, and selected details of drawings. In addition, a section of the book is devoted to Haendel's ardent dedication to drawing, highlighting through images his approach, process, materials and distinctive installation strategy.

Less Bad contains an introductory essay by Aldy Milliken, a scholarly essay on Haendel's work by Andrea Gyorody contextualizing it within the recent trajectory of contemporary art, a graphic essay by Hazel Haendel, the artist's daughter, a discussion between Haendel and artist Analia Saban, and brief creative contributions by artists Darren Bader, Karla Diaz, Michelle Jane Lee, and Ray Anthony Barrett.