Description
This is the story of a micronaut. Artist, designer and illustrator Graham Percy travelled far and built a career on the closely observed detail. Born in Taranaki in 1938, Percy spent apprentice years in Auckland before moving to London, where with his photographer-partner Mari Mahr he created a workshop-home, a microcosm of the outside world. Here fellow-venturer Gregory O'Brien presents an account of Graham Percy's life and art, by way of motorbike and hot-air balloon, through sketches and bookshelves, touching on childhood losses and adult nostalgia. Including some of Percy's most compelling drawings, A Micronaut in the Wide World showcases his early design work, vivid children's book illustration and thriving mature art. The drawings reveal Percy's passion for the small and hand-drawn; convey quirky remembered and imagined histories; and feature a cast of curious characters, from storks and trainee running targets to Commedia dell'Arte characters and illustrious composers. In its vivid, exuberant detail - alphabets and elephants, red lettuces and homesick kiwi, the Hungarian navy and the starry skies of the southern hemisphere - A Micronaut in the Wide World is a stimulating rediscovery of a remarkable artist.
About the Author
Gregory O'Brien is a painter, curator and writer based in Wellington. His recent books include A Nest of Singing Birds; News of the Swimmer Reaches the Shore; and his award-winning books on art for the young and curious, Welcome to the South Seas and Back and Beyond. Graham Percy grew up in Taranaki and Auckland. After studying under Colin McCahon and working for the School Journal, he moved to London, where he became a graphic designer and artist specialising in children's book illustration. He has over 100 books to his credit, including The Wind in the Willows, The Arabian Nights and Aesop's Fables.
Awards
Short-listed for PANZ Book Design Awards: Best Illustrated Book 2012 and New Zealand Post Book Awards: Illustrated Non-Fiction 2012.
Book Information
ISBN 9781869404703
Author Gregory O'Brien
Format Hardback
Page Count 184
Imprint Auckland University Press
Publisher Auckland University Press
About the Author
Gregory O'Brien is a painter, curator and writer based in Wellington. His recent books include A Nest of Singing Birds; News of the Swimmer Reaches the Shore; and his award-winning books on art for the young and curious, Welcome to the South Seas and Back and Beyond. Graham Percy grew up in Taranaki and Auckland. After studying under Colin McCahon and working for the School Journal, he moved to London, where he became a graphic designer and artist specialising in children's book illustration. He has over 100 books to his credit, including The Wind in the Willows, The Arabian Nights and Aesop's Fables.
Awards
Short-listed for PANZ Book Design Awards: Best Illustrated Book 2012 and New Zealand Post Book Awards: Illustrated Non-Fiction 2012.
Book Information
ISBN 9781869404703
Author Gregory O'Brien
Format Hardback
Page Count 184
Imprint Auckland University Press
Publisher Auckland University Press
