R.O. Blechman‘s life’s work is on view in “The Masters Series: R.O Blechman” at SVA’s Chelsea Gallery, the most recent major retrospective representing illustrations and editorial cartoons, animations and graphic novels. The exhibition, which is open from October 2 through November 2 at 601 West 26th Street, New York City. This is a must see, and this is a must read.
Blechman’s trademark squiggly line has given nervous energy, charm and understated humor to his art for the past six decades. He is well-known for classic advertising campaigns, such as the television commercial for Alka-Seltzer featuring a talking stomach, and for books including The Juggler of Our Lady (Henry Holt, 1953). He directed the Emmy-winning animated PBS special The Soldier’s Tale (1984) and produced 14 magazine covers for “The New Yorker.” Blechman’s witty spot illustrations and editorial cartoons have been widely seen in “The New York Times,” “The Nation,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” “Esquire,” “Punch” and “The Huffington Post.”
Writer and editor Victor Navasky—author of The Art of Controversy: Political Cartoons and Their Enduring Power (Random House, 2013)—talks with Blechman on Oct 17 at the SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street. It is free and open to the public.
Additional ResourceFor more articles by Steven Heller and the art of telling stories, pick up a copy of the current issue of Print, the Design and Storytelling issue.
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About Steven HellerSteven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.View all posts by Steven Heller →