Neurotica by J.K. Potter (Paper Tiger-UK--Overlook Press) is a beautiful new book by a master horror artist. Among his acknowledged influences are his mentor, the late New Orleans photographer Clarence John Laughlin, Weegee, and Hans Bellmer. Many of the pieces are from Potter's private collection and use some of his favorite models, including punk diva Lydia Lunch (who also writes the introduction). Some of the transformations jar and shock and while these are certainly effective in creating a particular effect, my own favorites are those pieces that are more fluid and subtle, showing human and animal melding together to create an entirely new reality that seems completely natural in its unreality. A dreamlike eeriness that is difficult to shake imbues his best work.
Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe with 19 illustrations by Gary Kelly (Creative Editions/Harcourt Brace), collects "The Cask of Amontillado," "The Black Cat," and "The Fall of the House of Usher" in a beautiful new oversized edition perfect for young adults and adults. The cover art, taken from "The Black Cat"-- a skull-like head with the eponymous cat perched on top-- is worth the price of the book.
River of Mirrors: The Fantastic Art of Judson Huss (Morpheus International). Huss is an expatriate American living in France. Obviously influenced by the Fantastic Realist school of Vienna--particularly Ernst Fuchs-- and by Hieronymous Bosch, the Flemish fabulist, Huss juxtaposes lush beauty with the grotesque. The interstitial autobiographical material and one piece about his creative process are fascinating. Terry Gilliam provides a foreword.
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman, based on a new translation by Aliana Brodmann and illustrated by Gennady Spirin (Stewart, Tabori, and Chang), is a treat for young adult readers and art lovers. This dark fairy tale, about a Nutcracker that turns into a prince and must fight the Mouse King, takes place on Christmas Eve. Tchaikovksy's wonderful ballet The Nutcracker Suite was inspired by this tale. The production of this book is gorgeous, with its rich, saturated colors, its luscious endpapers, and its delicate typeface. The perfect gift.
Something in My Eye by Michael Whelan (Mark V. Ziesing Books) collects the horrific art of this multi-Hugo Award-winning artist in a glorious full-color large-format book, available in both hardcover and paperback. Whelan is versatile, producing memorable work in several different styles, from photorealism to the stylized broader images of comic book art. An excellent collection.
Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children's Book Illustration by Michael Patrick Hearn, Trinkett Clark, and H. Nichols B. Clark (Roberts Rinehart Publishers in cooperation with The Chrysler Museum of Art) is a beautiful, informative volume developed in conjunction with a nationwide tour. A plethora of art from Kate Greenaway, Kay Nielson, and Edmund Dulac (who never made it to the United States but whose art did), N.C. Wyeth, Barry Moser, Charles Santore, and Edward Gorey. The book misses a few notable children's artists such as Lane Smith and Henrik Drescher, but nonetheless is highly recommended.
Spectrum III: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art edited by Cathy Burnett and Arnie Fenner with Jim Loehr (Underwood Books). This cornucopia of fantasy and horror art includes the work of newcomers and established artists alike. This round-up of fantasy and horror art-- complete with Fenner's insightful introduction-- provides a thorough overview of the field.
Animal Farm by George Orwell (Harcourt, Brace) is the 50th anniversary edition with new illustrations by the talented Ralph Steadman. A collectible for Steadman fans.
H.R.Giger's Film Design (Morpheus International) represents a beautiful presentation of the artist's work, with an introduction by Ridley Scott and ongoing commentary about each project (many never even filmed.)
Barlowe's Guide to Fantasy, with text by Neil Duskis (HarperPrism), demonstrates the artist's keen imagination and versatility through colorful visual interpretations of creatures ranging from the Golem and Grendel and Mr. Toad (from The Wind in the Willows) to monsters created by Clive Barker and Dan Simmons. Also, concise commentary on the background of each character and beast.
Beautiful Death: Art of the Cemetery by David Robinson with text by Dean Koontz (Penguin Studio). Color photographs of the beautiful funereal art of European cemeteries.
Copyright (C) 1997 by Omni Publications International, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.