An Alphabet By Peter Blake by Mel Gooding

by Peter Blake

Best known for designing the seminal Beatles album cover, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Sir Peter Blake, born in 1932, is widely considered the godfather of British Pop Art. Across his oeuvre, Blake has always drawn inspiration from popular culture, often collaging disparate elements or quoting from works by other artists. Over the years he has continued to produce art for many musicians, including Ian Dury, Paul Weller and Oasis. And today, he is hugely influential among contemporary fine artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.In 2007, Tate Liverpool presented a major retrospective exhibition of Blake's paintings. At the same time, London's Paul Stolper Gallery collaborated with the renowned fine art printmakers, Coriander Studio, to publish a new portfolio of prints and the accompanying book, Peter An Alphabet.Since the 1950s Blake has maintained a deep interest in the letters of the alphabet. This exquisitely fashioned volume reproduces all 26 of the new prints--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each visual interpretation is a collage of images from vintage cards, magazines and books, and the finished works are at once nostalgic and whimsical, humorous and fascinating. This spectacular abecedarium celebrates the interest, from childhood onwards, that we all share in letters and words. With an interview by the renowned art writer, Mel Gooding, and a specially designed cover by the artist, it is required reading for all Peter Blake fans.

Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[nAeEMak نعیمک]

کتاب متن ندارد. هر صفحه یکی از حروف الفبا آورده شده و در صفحۀ روبرویی تصویری از لغاتی که با آن حرف شروع می‌شود. اگر بخواهم ساده‌تر بگویم مثل کتاب‌های آموزشی که «س مثل سگ» است. اما برای هر حرف تنها یک تصویر آورده نشده است. کتاب آموزشی نیست و بیشتر جنبۀ هنری دارد. کتاب کلاژی از تصاویر مختلف است که حسی از نوستالژی دارد و چیدنشان کنار هم اصلاً کار ساده‌ای نیست. در دنیای ما که همه‌چیز دیجیتال است. تماشای این کلاژ‌ها و کشفی که هنرمند برای ساختن آن کرده حس خوشی از کتاب می‌سازد و ناخودآگاه درگیر تصاویر می‌شویم و اینکه برای حرف بعد چه تصاویری آمده است. راستش را بخواهید دقیقاً در همین لحظه فهمیدم که مولف کتاب یک هنرمند است و کارش کلاژ است و حتی یکی از کاورهای بیتلز را هم طراحی کرده.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of images related to the alphabet.

The reproductions of the artworks were all OK.

Reading / viewing time around thirty minutes.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful testament to alphabets and type by artist Peter Blake (famous for designing the cover of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine album, among other things.) Each letter gets its own tribute.