Speaker by Various Artists

Hi Peter

Thanks for the information on the breadth of Marcus King's talent and output, looking forward to getting this latest book for my next significant date!

As we have touched on briefly outside this forum, and having seen the wonderful exhibition of travel posters in Rotorua recently, wouldn't it be wonderful if it were possible to buy full size (or even just large) reprints of the posters? The existing books are wonderful but not able to be hung on the wall.

Hi Graham. Thx for your comment. Try NZ fine Prints, they may have a size suitable and have been good supporters of my publishing endeavours.
http://www.prints.co.nz/page/fine-art/CTGY/Vintage_Posters
Peter

Hi Graham. Thx for your comment. Try NZ fine Prints, they may have a size suitable and have been good supporters of my publishing endeavours.

Ah, thanks for that. There are a few people around selling crappy colour laser prints off the back of your work, so its nice to be directed to somewhere reputable.

Wonderful study of a career, and how nice to know more about this iconic artist.

Wonderful study of a career, and how nice to know more about this iconic artist.

Indeed, especially having admired some of those images from Peter's previous books.

He puts me in mind of Maxfield Parrish and Dali…

Great to see Warren Feeney helping to bring these cultural gems to light in this the International Year of Light!

There are a few people around selling crappy colour laser prints off the back of your work

There’s lot of it about, I was disappointed to find all those little stalls selling books and prints along the Seine in Paris are mostly colour lasers or dodgy reprints.

We thought of mentioning Parrish but didnt in the end. When I first told Paul Hartigan about the book in 2013 he said to me "ahhh, NZ's Maxfield Parrish". I think Parrish was probably a few more notches along the fantasy spectrum?

I think Parrish was probably a few more notches along the fantasy spectrum?

NZ probably wasn't ready for androgyny back then either :- )
- but Parrish did other stuff too.
It's more the colours, compositions and I guess the print processes of the time (rotogravure, lithography, silk screen, etc) were sympathetic to his vision - modern print just can't seem to lay colour down the same way and the most of the inks are no longer made or used.
We live in a murky watered down world nowadays by comparison...

Parrish did other stuff too.

Some of his early black & white stuff was stunning.
Maxfield Parrish's illustration for A Hill Prayer by Mirian Warner Wildman
Century Magazine, December, 1899.

Was on the tip of my tounge earlier re the different aesthetic of digital prints versus the lithographs and screenprints of the day. Chalk and cheese, though different strokes for different folks. The touring exhibition 'Selling the Dream' is a great chance over the next 18 months or so (various venues) to see how good the originals look. Separately, I hope a King specific exhibit can emerge to showcase some of his murals and Impressionism.

L’age d’or…

Maxfield Parrish’s illustration for A Hill Prayer

Now the whole granulated silver gelatin otherworldliness of that puts me in mind of the fine work of Hannes Bok and Virgil Finlay a coupla decades on in the ‘pulps’…
… a Golden era indeed, we have transmuted through the Iron age and I fear the Leaden age is upon us – though not without some gems on view…

…which reminds me (a memo from the front brain) :

Artists Maryrose Crook and Wilhelmus Ruifrok join forces in an exhibition that explores themes of memory, nostalgia and references history and the environment at a newly established art gallery in Lyttelton.
50 Works Gallery will open with its first exhibition on 28 November 2015 at 50 London Street, Lyttelton, Chchch.

http://neatplaces.co.nz/events/new-zealand/canterbury/christchurch/art-exhibition-public-art/exhibition-maryrose-crook-wilhelmus-ruifrok-50-works-gallery/

Sounds like an interesting print experiment. In regards Maori academic feedback, not much (reflecting my effort, not theirs!). Mark Derby, who is well-respected in matters-Maori, wrote a nice piece on the role of Maori in early tourism publicity in 'Selling the Dream'. Warren and I also studied the new book by Dr Rangihiroa Panohoa as part of the King book. I think there is a good book on the role of Maori in early advertising of NZ (beyond posters into glass slides and other things) - any keen co-authors of that, let me know.

Thanks, Peter, looks like there's enough available at NZ Fine Prints to keep me quiet for a while.

I fell down the rabbit hole at Fine Prints a couple of weeks ago while trying to explain From Mickey to Tiki to my kids, who think it's awesome. I may not emerge with my mortgage balance intact.

I can't believe I had no idea who painted the signing of the Treaty - for some reason I assumed it was from the 19th rather than 20th century, despite the style. I think I might have pinched it for a slideshow once. Always nice to understand a bit more about these things, thank you for that.

I can’t believe I had no idea who painted the signing of the Treaty

Don’t worry, when it comes to ignoring the artist, you’re in the great company of Gareth Morgan (https://garethsworld.com/treaty/treaty-justice-triumph-commonsense/ ), The Listener and many more!

Is there any information on when/where the Selling the Dream exhibition is coming to Auckland?

Re prints, I should have also thought to mention that the Alexander Turnbull Library is a great source for ordering image prints.

Is there any information on when/where the Selling the Dream exhibition is coming to Auckland?

Sadly no Auckland venue yet but Canterbury Museum are still exploring it. Be great show for Auckland Museum. Is at Hastings now or soon, will also go to Hamilton, few mins down the motorway.

Thanks, hope a venue is found in Auckland at some stage. Smyth Galleries in Herne Bay had an exhibition of collection of the posters a few years ago that was fantastic.

I should have also thought to mention that the Alexander Turnbull Library is a great source for ordering image prints.

Whoops, another rabbit hole to fall down. That has some cool stuff.