Visit the ZOO

Todays posting is a bridge to an extraordinairy Japanese printmaker I've recently discovered and was unknown to me before, so first: let's visit the ZOO !

 

These are posters based on woodblock prints by Louise Welsh and Hugh Stevenson. Two unknown printmakers of the 5000 artists employed by president Roosevelts (New Deal) Federal Art Projekt (1935-1943) in 1936. 

These charming and amazingly modern prints are bij Japanese printmakers Koizumi Kishio (1893-1945) and Koshiro Onchi (1891-1955) the printmaker we shall have a closer look on in following posting.

Gerd Arntz (1900-1988) a Dutch graphic artist from German origin mainly famous for the 4000 "Isotyopes" he designed you'll have to visit here*. Many of which are in use and very recognizable to this day. He created some very great prints in his very own and recognisable style too but hardly anyone knows. I promise to get back to him.

Samuel Jesserun de Mesquita (1868-murdered in Auschwitz 1944) the Jewish artist I showed before and will have his own posting soon. Most of his wonderful prints were made in Amsterdam ZOO: ARTIS.

Charles M. Turzak (1899-1986) American from Czech origin (above and right), must have had a reason for lining up perambulators in battle formation in this Zoo print. He went to Europe in 1929 "to meet the Masters" (!) and after returning, besides the many woodcut prints, created some very nice color prints. I presume he started in London because I sense "influences" and use of color of the British schools and am curious to know if he's left any traces in British archives. 

Roaming the internet I found this great ZOO illustration by American artist Erin E. Stead (b.1982). She uses a combination of woodblock print and drawing for her childrens book illustratons. This above design reminding me of the delightfull raunchy Paris pissing dogs by Russian Frenchman Arthur Boris O'Klein (1893-1985).

O'Klein must have been the inspiration to the artist who made this hilarious mural, but now I'm wandering off my path too much.

If you know of more Zoo prints donot hesitate letting me know.

Next: Koshiro Onchi, Japanese printmaker.