Picturebook people: Illustrator Michael Kirkham pays tribute to the Provensens

Picturebook People is a review of the book The Art of Alice & Martin Provensen (Chronicle Chroma) for graphic design journal Eye Magazine. With growing interest in late picture book author and illustrators Alice and Martin Provensen demonstrated by the recent publication of three books by or about them, it seemed an appraisal of this book – the closest thing to a critical monograph on the couple – was timely and important. 

 

The aim of the review was to introduce uninitiated readers to the context and significant cultural contributions of the subjects and provide a critical reflection on the valuable material but somewhat superficial scope of the book. It is hoped this will function as a prompt to future authors in addressing the gaps left in the literature. 

 

Information was gathered from the book under review, interviews and editorial pieces published about the subjects, and their own work. Ideas were developed through writing and discussion with academic and publishing colleagues and through editorial input from Eye Magazine. The book was photographed by Kirkham in the DJCAD Production Studio. 

 

The review was published on the prominent graphic design journal Eye Magazine’s website where it will be searchable and accessible indefinitely.