whoknows
22nd May 2007, 03:09
We want bread, but we want roses too.
Begining in 1930, Lynd Ward, who is remimbered today as an illustrator of childrens books, published a series of graphic novels in response to the the explotiation and growing facistism around him. Each book is comprised of woodcuts, one print to a page, without dialog, as he has writen that he has, 'always held that the individual who 'reads; a pictorial narrative should feel completely free to develop his own interpretation. . . '
Two artists led Ward to expand his work from one isolated image to the series image that becomes a pictorial nattative. These two were Otto Nuckel of Germany and the Belgian, Frans Masereel who also illustrated an editon of the 'Communitist Manafesto". Although, Ward is by far the better artist, Masereel is well worth viewing for the social awarness.
Ward's work develops from the personal drama, to the safely distant historical novel, to the in your face now of the great depression.
They begin with "God's Man" (in print) first published on black friday 1929, and shows the progress of a young artist.
This was followed by "Madman's Drum" (in print) which is set in 19th century Europe and tracks the desent of a decent man, who is the hier of a fortune made in the slave trade.
Ward then exploded into the crises of his own time with "Wild Pilgrimage"(in print) in which the well composed and beutifully realised images are infused with a raw passion for social justice
After that Ward published two more low keyed works, one would expect he needed to regroup his engeries after 'Wild Pilgrimage". These two titles are not now in print but are 'Prelude to a Million Years' and the more symbolic "Song Without Words".
The last and most developed of the series is 'Vertigo' (not in print) which follows the brading paths of a violinist, and her father, the young man who comes into their lives and distructive rampages of of a nameless man who seems to be John D. Rockafeller.
Each of these works were pubished in a volume "Storyteller Without Words" by Abrams in 1974 isbn 8109-0541-8 which is also out of print by may be found in some libraries and your only chance to veiw 'Vertigo"
In respect to Ward's believe that you the reader should form your own story from his images I have declined to give greater plot detail.
Good reading.
Begining in 1930, Lynd Ward, who is remimbered today as an illustrator of childrens books, published a series of graphic novels in response to the the explotiation and growing facistism around him. Each book is comprised of woodcuts, one print to a page, without dialog, as he has writen that he has, 'always held that the individual who 'reads; a pictorial narrative should feel completely free to develop his own interpretation. . . '
Two artists led Ward to expand his work from one isolated image to the series image that becomes a pictorial nattative. These two were Otto Nuckel of Germany and the Belgian, Frans Masereel who also illustrated an editon of the 'Communitist Manafesto". Although, Ward is by far the better artist, Masereel is well worth viewing for the social awarness.
Ward's work develops from the personal drama, to the safely distant historical novel, to the in your face now of the great depression.
They begin with "God's Man" (in print) first published on black friday 1929, and shows the progress of a young artist.
This was followed by "Madman's Drum" (in print) which is set in 19th century Europe and tracks the desent of a decent man, who is the hier of a fortune made in the slave trade.
Ward then exploded into the crises of his own time with "Wild Pilgrimage"(in print) in which the well composed and beutifully realised images are infused with a raw passion for social justice
After that Ward published two more low keyed works, one would expect he needed to regroup his engeries after 'Wild Pilgrimage". These two titles are not now in print but are 'Prelude to a Million Years' and the more symbolic "Song Without Words".
The last and most developed of the series is 'Vertigo' (not in print) which follows the brading paths of a violinist, and her father, the young man who comes into their lives and distructive rampages of of a nameless man who seems to be John D. Rockafeller.
Each of these works were pubished in a volume "Storyteller Without Words" by Abrams in 1974 isbn 8109-0541-8 which is also out of print by may be found in some libraries and your only chance to veiw 'Vertigo"
In respect to Ward's believe that you the reader should form your own story from his images I have declined to give greater plot detail.
Good reading.