I could look at this new book from Ward Zwart all day and still find more interesting interactions again tomorrow. His wonderfully stylized pencil portraits are all mashed against one another creating big mountains of people covering full spreads. The oversized proportions of the book are helping this feel like you are inside one big crowded party. And who wouldn’t want to be at this party where big eyed girls are applying lipstick and scruffy messy haired guys in sunglasses are smoking sexily, not to mention the cartoon animal heads that pop up in the masses every so often. Ward’s gestures feel really honest. He exaggerates moments other people might never appreciated like a hand wiping a long nose, or a shy gaze while sipping through a straw. You all know I am an enormous fan of Ward’s work so this big book is like a great gift to me. You should give yourself the gift too and contact Bries to order one. It has come to my attention that I got an advance copy of this book at MoCCA and the books actually won’t be available until Sept for ordering. I will let you know when that happens!

© Julia Rothman 2007