Arguably every artist in the world would love to be responsible for creating custom artwork to adorn the cover of a big release for a favorite band. Yet not much press has been able to shine a light on the beginnings of the much-overlooked innovator of the art form: Alex Steinweiss (covered in the January '08, issue 84, of Juxtapoz).
Steinweiss created the first album cover artwork Smash Song Hits by Rodgers & Hart, Imperial Orchestra under Richard Rodgers (shown) way back in 1939 for Columbia when music still came in plain brown wrapping. Boring! Now, at 90 years of age, Steinweiss is getting his well-deserved due respects. With an impressive tome due from Taschen, and a solo show of his works coinciding with an art-star-studded tribute exhibition at Robert Berman Gallery in Los Angeles, the album cover's prolific padre is enjoying his moment.
To date, Alex Steinweiss has not had a major exhibition of his work. Kevin Reagan and Greg Escalante have spearheaded the motion to find the perfect venue, settling on the Robert Berman Gallery. The exhibition will feature an astounding collection of album covers, posters and ceramic works from all stages of Steinweiss' prolific career.
Coinciding with the exhibition will be a tribute show, curated by Greg Escalante and Kevin Reagan, featuring art on 12 x 12" format by such names as Shag, Miles Thompson, Andrew Brandau, Lola, Raymond Pettibon, Josh Petker, Nathan Spoor, Tamara Guion, Jim Woodring, Cameron Gray, Glen Wexler, Thomas Woodruff, Craig Stecyk, Sergio Aragones, Sandow Birk, Ron English, and many more.
This exhibition gets its a kick start at an opening this Saturday, January 19th, a mere 69 years after Steinweiss’ initial invention.

Tweet

Share on Tumblr