“America’s roadside auto graveyard, in all it’s abandoned glory, informs these 24 old school graphics by America’s most shamelessly off-beat printmaker, J. Daniel Abel. HULKZ (the Z is a nice touch) is a very attractive package of rock solid renderings. The presentation is stark and bony; "24 Roadside Attractions" - promise made, promise kept. The simplicity of the idea and Jay’s deadpan attitude is what gives it such enormous poetic weight. It's a very satisfying book to peruse and as usual, very inspiring. One notes a high percentage of VW bugs herein. That's one of those autos intended to revolutionize car ownership for the lowly proletariat. Its rusting, immobile hulk is thereby all the more metaphoric.
The "moonlight sonatas" in the last few pages are mesmerizing.The effect of nighttime really comes off in Jay’s vivid haze of tones and spatters, but the lighter pieces have all of Jay’s graphic crackle going full tilt. I'll never decide which I prefer. This is the language of a lost America and with luscious tonality to boot.
One giggles heartily at Jay's grumpy introduction. He may be right about seeing the gas/piston era shift irreversibly, but his George Miniver ranting against the horseless-carriage nuisance has a kernel of verity.”
-Ashley Holt
9x7" - Rich B/W - 54 pages - 24 Reproductions $18
Details
- Publication Date
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
- Category
- Art & Photography
- Copyright
- All Rights Reserved - Standard Copyright License
- Contributors
- By (artist): John Abel
Specifications
- Pages
- 54
- Binding Type
- Paperback Perfect Bound
- Interior Color
- Color
- Dimensions
- Small Landscape (9 x 7 in / 229 x 178 mm)