Date: Fri 17-Sep-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Rockwell-illustration

Full Text:

The Norman Rockwell Museum: Editorial Illustration

(with 1 cut)

STOCKBRIDGE, MASS. -- "Eye on America: Editorial Illustration in the 1990s" is

an intriguing exhibition featuring editorial illustration by many of the most

prominent American illustrators. This lively and historic review of the

current decade inspires us to reflect upon the past and pause to consider what

may be ahead. The exhibition is on view from September 18 through January 23,

in the museum's Stockbridge Gallery.

Norman Rockwell said of his work, "Without thinking too much about it in

specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who

might not have noticed."

"Eye on America: Editorial Illustration in the 1990s" takes a fascinating look

back at the events, celebrations, scandals and personalities of this last

decade of the Twentieth Century through the editorial art that has appeared in

the most news and noteworthy publications of our time -- The New York Times ,

The Boston Globe , The New Yorker , The Atlantic Monthly , Mother Jones , The

Washington Post , Newsweek , Time , Shape , Sports Illustrated , and Rolling

Stone .

Prominent illustrators charged with the daunting task of meeting deadlines and

maintaining personal expression, while fulfilling the requirements of each

assignment, have helped to shape public opinion and inspire consideration of

the issues of our day. Their visual narratives offer new insights into a wide

range of topics, enhancing and expanding upon the written word.

Art directors choose illustration over photography in editorial pieces for

many different reasons. Illustration plays a unique role in the life of a

publication. Beautiful and visually interesting images can stimulate a

reader's interest, enticing that reader to enter into an intelligent dialogue

with the text.

Author and artists' representative Barbara Gordon has commented, "Artists can

render a situation that does not exist or would be impossible to photograph

because of lack of accessibility. Nothing is out of bounds -- Antarctica, the

earth's core, heaven, hell and Never-Neverland. They use skill and imagination

to convey any place or situation."

Lush pictorial spreads, appearing at surprising moments and integrated with

small spot illustrations, can carry a reader through a very long piece of

writing. The juxtaposition of contrasting illustration and writing styles can

be effective as well. The placement of humorous, playful art within a dense,

academic article makes it feel much more accessible to even the most

uninitiated reader.

Renowned for her artful use of illustration within a magazine, The Atlantic

Monthly art director Judy Garlan believes that, "The true heroes are the

illustrat ors. The best art asks you to climb to a new peak where you get a

clearer view of something. The illustrator helps you make the ascent...

Illustration creates the moment, unlike the photograph, which just captures

it."

"Eye on America: Editorial Illustration in the 1990s" includes over 80

original works by 24 celebrated contemporary illustrators. Working in a wide

range of styles, from photorealistic to humorous, these artists have employed

their talents to help tell the stories of our day.

The illustrators featured in this exhibition are Marshall Arisman, N.

Asencios, Barry Blitt, Juliette Borda, Braldt Bralds, Steve Brodner, Joe

Ciardiello, Tom Curry, Etienne Delessert, Robert Grossman, Mark Hess, Brad

Holland, Frances Jetter, Anita Kunz, Matt Mahurin, James McMullan, Tim

O'Brien, Robert Andrew Parker, Lynn Pauley, Marc Rosenthal, Elwood Smith,

Edward Sorel, Greg Slpalenka and Thomas Woodruff.

The curator for the exhibition is Stephanie H. Plunkett, curator of

illustration for the Norman Rockwell Museum.

For more information, call 413/298-4100.