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Kustom Graphics – Book Review #7

Posted 12 Aug 2010 - No Comments - leave yours now!

I’ve tried in the past to catagorise design books. Some inform, others instruct and there are a few out there that simply dazzle you with page after page of creativity and skill that leave you wishing you had done some of the works yourself.

Kustom Graphics is such a book.

Kustom Graphics – Introduction by Julian Balme, Compiled by Yak El- Droubie, Text by Ian C. Parliament

Blurb: Over the past 15 years, the art of kustom kulture has seen an explosion of energy and imagination, fuelled by a crossover of genres. Hot rod artists are now creating work for rock n roll bands, t-shirt designers are using the body as a canvas and creating amazing tattoos, tattoo artists are embracing tiki motifs, music poster screenprinters are adopting the raunch of burlesque in their work and skateboard artists are embracing the spirit of hot rods.

Kustom Graphics collects the work of 40 artists from various kustom kulture disciplines. There is a bit of something for everybody no matter what ‘lowbrow’ scene you’re into.
Some of the artists featured include: Vince Ray, Rockin’ Jellybean, Ace and Kali, David Vicente & Dirty Donny.

There is such a breadth of style and techniques all in pursuit of common goals and similar subjects. These include pinstriping, pin-ups, monster-art, tiki, grunge, hot rods and burlesque.

As a result of the themes and subjects there are plenty of raunchy, and adult works of art, I only mention this as a warning, take note if you like! But it’s all part of the scene and texture of what is trying to be expressed.

This is a must have book if you are into any kustom kulture scene and want to expand your knowledge. Alternatively if you are new to the whole thing, you couldn’t get a better introduction into this grimy, wonderful world of artistic expression.

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read this book.

Past book reviews you might find helpful:

1000 Type Treatments

How to be a Graphic Designer without Losing your Soul

Wally Olins – The Brand Handbook

A Smile in the Mind

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