“More than any individual author, Richard Powers showed the public that science fiction could be written by intelligent adults, for intelligent adults. His superior aesthetics...still overshadow most rivals....I am delighted his talent is again on splendid display!”—Michael Moorcock. “I am happy to see this collection of outstanding work.”—Sir Arthur C. Clarke. “Enlightening....Valuable.... Capable of evoking that fabled sense of wonder.”—SFRA Review.
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As Frank observes, Richard Powers (1921-96) "was one of the three prime movers of sf art." A generation younger than the other two, who were primarily illustrators, Powers introduced artistic modernism to sf as a creator of book-cover imagery in a style Frank calls "abstract surrealism." Inspired by the painters Tanguy, Klee, and Gorky, in particular, Powers mixed realistic figures and geometric but seemingly organic shapes, painted them and their monochromatic, atmospheric backgrounds in intense colors, and composed them to suggest otherworldly landscapes. He further modernized his pictures with abstract expressionist gestures, such as Pollock-like filigrees of spattered paint. From 1950 on, his work has said "science fiction" to all who have seen it--no small band, given his output (the appended checklist of his book covers is nine pages long). More than 100 vivid colorplates decorate a volume that also includes a biographical sketch by Powers' son that reveals the artist as quite a character. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
Jane Frank is a member of the Association of Science Fiction Artists (ASFA), the Washington Sculpture Association, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Society of Illustrators. With her husband, Howard Frank, she has built up the largest collection of sf/fantasy art in the world, and in 1991 she founded Worlds of Wonder, the world's best known sf/fantasy art agency. Together with Howard Frank she has written The Frank Collection (1999), published by Paper Tiger.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great artist, great book, great price!,
By Babytoxie (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Art of Richard Powers (Paper Tiger) (Hardcover)
Finally, a book dedicated solely to the works of the late Richard Powers... a dream come true. I was tired of always seeing him presented as one of many entries in books of sci-fi artists, shoved between others who were obviously not as talented as he. This is a true deal.... page after page of his beautiful/haunting/otherworldly art (yes, all 3 adjectives, and more, exist in each painting!). The reproductions are of a very high quality and clarity, some taking up 2 pages, allowing you to see the textures within the images. The text gives some very good insight on Powers' inspirations and personality, with some very funny stories. My only objections are - 1. There are a number of works produced in a fairly small format (4" x 4" or less) , and I would've gladly paid more if the publisher had enlarged them and expanded the page count. 2. No photos of Powers at work, just two self-portraits. 3. The text tends to ramble a bit, especially the first chapter, and I would have loved to see more art in place of it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shamefully underrated,
By A Customer
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This review is from: The Art of Richard Powers (Paper Tiger) (Hardcover)
The best cover artist of all time. No exaggeration. Some of the later work becomes, unfortunately, exceedingly literal--it's as if someone forced Powers to put Boris-Vallejo-like human figures into his abstract scenes in order to satisfy some PR/marketing goal. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
120 of the artist's fantasy images,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Art of Richard Powers (Paper Tiger) (Hardcover)
This highly recommended introduction covering the life of the artist Richard Power opens to a full-page color-embellished survey of 120 of the artist's fantasy images and contributions to the world of paperback illustrative art. An outstanding survey of images is created in an excellent keepsake edition for fans of science fiction and fantasy art.
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