Customer Reviews

Weirdo Deluxe: The Wild World of Pop Surrealism & Lowbrow Art

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Together with Peter Swirski's 'From Lowbrow to Nobrow' this is one of my favourite books on popular art, aka lowbrow, pop, junk, genre, and so on.
Jordan's focus is very much on the visual aspec ts of lowbrow art, an orientation which is only enhanced by the graphic design of the covers and the book itself. I was quite familiar with many of the artists represented in his book, so I was a little less than completely enthused.
One of the chief drawbacks of this very engaging book is the palpable lack of a more historical/analytical framework in which to situate lowbrow art. Another thing I would have loved to see is, especially since Swirski usefully traces it, a detailed treatment of nobrow culture and nobrow art which appears to have been around longer than most critics and commentators would have us believe. All in all, I give Matt Jordan a well deserved four stars, reserving the top score for the book which is really a companion rather than competition to his, From Lowbrow to Nobrow.

'Lowbrow art' blends pop culture, street culture, pop art and surrealism with a strong focus on controversial sub-cultures from bikers to 60s sitcoms. It's about time that a thorough coverage of this genre is presented, and Painter and journalist Matt Dukes Jordan provides a spirited assessment of the high points of lowbrow in Weirdo Deluxe: The Wild World Of Pop Surrealism & Lowbrow Art. Full-page color reproductions of such art, from labels to paintings, present both art displays and commentary on the artists creating them.

This book introduces you to art they call pop surrealism, I can't think of a better name for it, but in the book you are introduced to each artist and have wonderful pictures of several of their works. I collect art books and this is one of my favorites because this is not the kind of work you would find in a stuffy museum, maybe a funky gallery though.

I liked that they included so many artists, and had some good interview questions asked.. in that way it seems a bit like a magazine more than an actual art criticism book. But I'd have to agree with one of the other comments about the quality not doing it justice. Many of the art pieces are rendered in a way that does makes the colors look dark and the detail gets lost. I guess it's considered cheap for an art book, but for me, it was an investment, I surely can't afford the art and I can barely afford to buy a $30 book, and I was so excited at the time I bought it. Just wanted to help make sure nobody gets disappointed like I did.

This is not Mr. Jordan's first book. He's a talented artist and writer with much knowledge about this subject. He does this book great justice for art fans with his wide coverage of artists. This book is much cooler than the 'other' one out there. It features more important artists and has more real information. It's also more affordable. I like how the cover of this book feels, you can read it in bed without a hard cover poking you in the stomach. This book will be appreciated by one wanting an introduction and discovering low brow art to the experienced art aficionado. Bravo, Matt!

Matt Dukes Jordan's Weirdo Deluxe provides a highly engaging introduction to the world of lowbrow art. It represents an amazingly wide range of artists and styles, with fascinating notes on each of the artists' life and work. The book opens with whimsically illustrated timelines that connect the evolution of lowbrow art to larger trends in pop culture. There is something surprising, amusing, and/or captivating on virtually every page. The quality of the writing, the design, and the overall effect is first-rate.

This book is an amazing reference resource as well a great source of inspiration for all who seek to know more about underground art.

There's a quick background history on underground art and every author tries to explain and talk about their art.

All the images are worth looking and reading this book is always a pleasure.

If you read Juztapoz and High Fructose, worship Mark Ryden and Coop, love art but are disappointed with contemporary conceptual and process work, THEN BUY THIS BOOK!!!! The out and out bible of pop surrealism and low brow. Savy mixes of graffitti street culture with fine art. I have to say that the discovery of pop surrealism, which I first saw in this book, revolutionized my own art work and has radically changed my ideas about the trajectory of art. Needless to say I like it.

As a contemporary artist and fan of post war american art I found Dukes Jordan's tome to be a fascinating blueprint of both cutting edge "Lowbrow" art and it's genesis in US kitsch kulture.

I've been subscribing to Juxtapoz for years, so I'm already familiar with most of the artists featured by Jordan. Nevertheless I snapped up his book RIGHT a way. It's cool to have a mini monograph of so many cool artists at my fingertips. The art reproduction is first rate.

His time line describing the key events in 20th century american pop culture culminating in the Lowbrow movement was particularly fascinating. He ties together all the disparate cultural threads as he traces the history of this art form.

All in all a fabulous art book.

A first-rate introduction to an underground art movement that blends cartoony pop culture elements with fine art sophistication. True to the spirit of the art, the book is fun to read and packed with colorful details about the artists, their work, and the history of the movement. The selection of art provides a good overview of each artist's work and the print quality of the art is excellent -- clear, bright, and detailed. The book's zany and beautiful design complements the art. Highly recommended.