Perceptualistics: Art By Jael. Text by John Grant

advertise.

	EUROPE'S MOST VISITED SF/F WEB SITE

Perceptualistics: Art By Jael. Text by John Grant
pub: Paper Tiger. 112 page hardback. Price: Ł20 (UK), $29.95 (US). ISBN: 1-85585-971-8.

Here we have another American artist whose coverwork we rarely see in the UK. Jael’s art is a mixture of contrasts. Flicking through the book, the most apparent work is her abstract paintings - what she calls ‘Perceptualistic paintings’ - that tend to deserve more than a cursory look.

These are noncommissioned works of art that Jael has developed her own sales market. When getting down to reading the book, there is also a selection of commissioned bookcover art at the front showing Jael is quite capable of doing ‘realistic’ looking material as the next SF cover artist.

In that sense, there’s enough for everyone’s taste in this book. Considering we don’t see any of her cover art over here, I hope publishers Paper Tiger consider commissioning a book of this work as well because I would like to see these covers at a much larger size.

Jael describes her ‘Perceptualistic paintings’ as to look and get your own meaning out of them rather than place any limiting factor on them. From this reviewer’s perspective, they do work rather better at a distance than close up.

Although there is no scale given to any of them, the text does indicate that Jael paints on large canvas. This is the one instance, where thumbnail paintings next to the larger versions would actually have helped to bring this home.

John Grant’s text is really Jael’s biography covering her colourful life from Utah to Las Vegas to New Jersey, painting as she goes everything from portraiture to covers and abstract. Judging by the notes here, Jael must surely be the oldest female fantasy artist going currently being 70 plus years old. The only disappointing thing is not seeing a picture of the lady herself.

Although I suspect some of you seeing this book in bookshops might be inclined to put it down after only a cursory look. Saying that, if you’re like me, the longer spent looking over the art the more inclined you’ll be for taking it home with you.

Check out website: www.papertiger.co.uk

GF Willmetts

FREE SF MAGAZINE
Sign up for the Crowsnest SF e-magazine - full of funny reports and gossip. Be the first to find out about hot science fiction happenings & news!

more on the magazine...

CHAT ABOUT THIS STORY

NEWS ARCHIVE