Roger Brown

by Sidney Lawrence, John Yau (Introduction)

Offers a profile of the Alabama-born artist, shows a selection of his paintings, sculpture, posters, and sketches, and discusses his use of topical themes

Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

Reviews

[Tom Romig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though chances are good I've seen his work before, I have no specific recollection of Roger Brown's art. Two of the covers of Tony Hoagland's poetry collections, which I've recently read, have Brown's work on their covers, with Ventura Freeway Landscaped being particularly arresting. Brown's works are often humorous, frequently based on historical and Biblical people and events, and, though this may sound like a contradiction, frequently have a haunting, even ominous feel to them. This book, prepared to accompany a 1987-88 exhibition of his work, includes many fine reproductions, an enlightening if a bit argumentative essay by John Yau (who strikes one as perhaps overly sensitive about the sometimes dismissive attitude of the New York art establishment towards Chicago or other non-NY artists like Brown), a handy chronology, and fascinating reproductions of some of Brown's favorite art objects and his eclectic personal collection "cherished possessions."