ICONS & IDOLS: Pop Goes the Culture is an eye-popping visual homage and satire of pop culture that is sure to tickle a funny bone.
Victor has, through his tedious, tenacious work, finally and uncompromisingly put caricature art to the level (at least in my opinion) up on the high mantle where it mostly has always deserved to be. His technique, his color, his execution--it is all superb, professional, engaging. I know of no better proponent of caricature on the planet--find me one, please!
On the functional plane, your friends will simply love it when you show it to them; it is a real keeper.
It is a comprehensive work, one that finally includes not just one category (rock stars, celebs, writers, and such), but all the greats together, executed prolifically. And it is FUNNY! Where can you get great artistic technique, informed commentary, and breadth and depth all at once? Find me a better one.
Excerpt
“Pross’ portraits are frequently funny and striking in their grotesque exaggeration, but always powerfully able to reintroduce us to that which we take for granted. Pross’ talent leaps from the frame.”—William O’Higgins, arts writer.
“Victor’s caricatures, aside from being clever in their own right, also convey an intelligence and knowledge of his subjects that is sometimes absent in similar sketches.” –George H. Smith, author of ‘Atheism: The case against God.’
“Victor Pross’ portraits examine in subjective—sometimes hideous, often hilarious—detail the faces of those who’ve shaped our times.”—Edward Keenan, media writer and editor for Toronto’s Eye Newspaper.
“Pross is a caricaturist, but that term does not nearly do justice to the art he creates. These are not line drawings of political figures published in a newspaper to poke fun, and then be forgotten the next day. Pross takes caricaturing to another level making powerful—if entertaining and exaggerated—canvasses of famous people.”—Paul J. Henderson, the Times.
"Victor, like his art, is larger than life. He tackles the big issues and puts them right in your face. I knew that making caricatures was about exaggerating the features a little. Little! Victor manages to exaggerate them a whole lot while keeping the essential personality clear. He does not walk the safe and simple path, but like hisforebears walks the lonely path of seeking truth without flinching."---Ray Thomas admirer.
Professional Reviews
Intelligent art
“Victor’s caricatures, aside from being clever in their own right, also convey an intelligence and knowledge of his subjects that is sometimes absent in similar sketches.” –George H. Smith, author of Athesim: The case against God.
Fun hits the coffee table
I don't need to, nor care to resort to hyping this book. For one thing, I wrote one of the forwards, so my objectivity would be in question. I will say this: I wrote what I wrote gratis, because I feel, very strongly, that Victor's work fills, amazingly well, a niche that we all will appreciate being filled. A joyous, guilty pleasure. He somehow managed to not only fix an itch that we before could never scratch, but on top of that, gave us this amazing eye-candy; eye candy that includes the artist's informed, insightful comments about the people he painted. That is a treasure.
Victor has, through his tedious, tenacious work, finally and uncompromisingly put caricature art to the level (at least in my opinion) up on the high mantle where it mostly has always deserved to be. His technique, his color, his execution--it is all superb, professional, engaging. I know of no better proponent of caricature on the planet--find me one, please!
On the functional plane, your friends will simply love it when you show it to them; it is a real keeper.
It is a comprehensive work, one that finally includes not just one category (rock stars, celebs, writers, and such), but all the greats together, executed prolifically. And it is FUNNY! Where can you get great artistic technique, informed commentary, and breadth and depth all at once? Find me a better one.
