The Graphic Art Of The Underground

The Graphic Art of the Underground: A Countercultural History takes the reader on a dazzling journey through the visual art and design of alternative and youth cultures from the 1950s to the present day. Ian Lowey and Suzy Prince ’s compelling account draws upon the work of an array of artistic figures – many of whose lives have proved as colourful as their work– such as Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, Kenny ‘Von Dutch’ Howard, Robert Williams, Robert Crumb, Martin Sharp, Jamie Reid, Linder Sterling, Gee Vaucher, Winston Smith, Barney Bubbles, Mark Ryden, Shag, Camille Rose Garcia, Marion Peck and Pete Fowler among numerous others.

London Underground has long been a pioneer in the field of art and design, from the early twentieth century when it commissioned posters by artists such as Man Ray, Edward McKnight Kauffer and Graham Sutherland and the commission of Eduardo Paolozzi at Tottenham Court Road station in the 1980s, to the current art programme, Platform for Art. Platform for Art is a book that traces the project's growing success -- from its fairly modest beginnings in the late 1990s, to what is now a highly ambitious and creative programme, showcasing some of the most exciting and innovative work from the contemporary international art scene. Platform for Art highlights the work of many of the participating artists: Cindy Sherman, Janette Paris, David Shrigley, Bob and Roberta Smith, Emma Kay and Chiho Aoshima and explores the broader implications of the programme. Featuring text by Alex Coles, and visually stunning reproductions of works by the participating artists, Platform for Art is the only comprehensive survey of what is one of London's most important and thought-provoking art programmes. AUTHOR: Alex Coles is an art critic and editor. He is the author of several books and his criticism appears regularly in Eye and Art Monthly. “ 173 colour & b/w illustrations

Over the years the motion picture industry has (sadly) gravitated to generating poorly cropped and heavily airbrushed posters that rely far too often on celebrity head shots. Thankfully, an underground network of graphic designers and artists has reinvigorated the art of the movie poster, crafting stunning pieces for classic and cult films. Here is the first comprehensive look at the movement, presenting this eclectic and dynamic medium through more than 200 eye-popping posters from over 100 cutting-edge artists, coupled with fascinating commentary and behind-the-scenes information. These new, underground posters have quickly become the most coveted by ardent moviegoers; they are typically produced in very limited runs, sell out within minutes, and command upwards of several hundred dollars each. With a smart, fresh visual perspective, alternative movie posters celebrate classics like Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining as well as cult favorites: The Big Lebowski, Blade Runner, and Pink Flamingos.

A New York Times Notable Book Filled with beautiful color art, dynamic storytelling, and insightful analysis, Hillary Chute reveals what makes one of the most critically acclaimed and popular art forms so unique and appealing, and how it got that way. “In her wonderful book, Hillary Chute suggests that we’re in a blooming, expanding era of the art… Chute’s often lovely, sensitive discussions of individual expression in independent comics seem so right and true.” — New York Times Book Review Over the past century, fans have elevated comics from the back pages of newspapers into one of our most celebrated forms of culture, from Fun Home, the Tony Award–winning musical based on Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking graphic memoir, to the dozens of superhero films that are annual blockbusters worldwide. What is the essence of comics’ appeal? What does this art form do that others can’t? Whether you’ve read every comic you can get your hands on or you’re just starting your journey, Why Comics? has something for you. Author Hillary Chute chronicles comics culture, explaining underground comics (also known as “comix”) and graphic novels, analyzing their evolution, and offering fascinating portraits of the creative men and women behind them. Chute reveals why these works—a blend of concise words and striking visuals—are an extraordinarily powerful form of expression that stimulates us intellectually and emotionally. Focusing on ten major themes—disaster, superheroes, sex, the suburbs, cities, punk, illness and disability, girls, war, and queerness—Chute explains how comics get their messages across more effectively than any other form. “Why Disaster?” explores how comics are uniquely suited to convey the scale and disorientation of calamity, from Art Spiegelman’s representation of the Holocaust and 9/11 to Keiji Nakazawa’s focus on Hiroshima. “Why the Suburbs?” examines how the work of Chris Ware and Charles Burns illustrates the quiet joys and struggles of suburban existence; and “Why Punk?” delves into how comics inspire and reflect the punk movement’s DIY aesthetics—giving birth to a democratic medium increasingly embraced by some of today’s most significant artists. Featuring full-color reproductions of more than one hundred essential pages and panels, including some famous but never-before-reprinted images from comics legends, Why Comics? is an indispensable guide that offers a deep understanding of this influential art form and its masters.

The definitive guide to contemporary and historical graphic design for designers and creatives. Designer, writer and lecturer Theo Inglis takes readers through the story, theory, and practice of graphic design, from its historical origins up to the present. Chapters on typography and mediums provide an extensive exploration of how each has been utilized and revolutionized through the years. Extensively illustrated with both historical and contemporary examples, each topic is divided into concise and easily digestible sections. This introductory primer will provide a thorough foundation in all the key ideas, issues, contexts and applications surrounding graphic design, expanding your knowledge and understanding of the rich world of visual communication.

OUT/LINES features a resurrection of erotic gay images that circulated in clandestine communities during the 100 years before Stonewall - including 200 previously unpublished 'obscene' images, which will both broaden and tantalise our view of queer culture with their surprising range of historical styles and motifs, including the work of legendary erotic artist Tom of Finland. Complemented by 8 pages in full-colour, Waugh's historical rigorous narrative explores the cultural and erotic dynamics and the social context in which these secret, sexual images were created.

With its origins in the 1960s hot rod culture and underground comix and rock music posters, Pop Surrealism/Lowbrow Art has evolved and expanded into the most vilified, vital, and exciting movement in contemporary art. Pop Surrealism is the first book to offer a comprehensive survey of this movement featuring twenty-three of today's most important and interesting artists.