Shag: The Art of Josh Agle 
asked by madfool on November 27, 2006 2:47 AM
This is the first major monograph of one of today's most popular and widely regarded artists, Josh Agle more commonly known as Shag. His trademark style is spotted on everything from cocktail napkins and cigarette lighters to his brand identity work for the new Pink Panther film. But Shag is the first opportunity to appreciate the mastery of expression in this artist's primary output his paintings. Gathered together here are nearly 200 wry and colorful scenes of signature retro decadence. Wasp-waisted women in Capri pants and turtlenecked, eye-patched men of mystery host parties where deathly specters cavort with cranky wolves, regal bulls, and blas Adams and Eves sipping martinis. A Shag painting often takes place in the middle of a story whose conclusion could be hilarious, catastrophic, or both, creating a world of endless hinted narratives. Lowbrow gallerist Billy Shire and art critic Colin Berry offer keen essays that situate Shag in the artistic and cultural setting that has spurred him beyond the more predictable work of his contemporaries creating a book that is simultaneously a fantasy playground of crisp lines and sharp colors, and a serious look at one of our most up-and-coming painters.
Reviews
I think this book is a great collection of Josh Agle's retro modern artwork. I also enjoyed the foreword by Billy Shire and essay by Colin Berry, in regards to information on the artist himself. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves bright retro style artwork that doesn't take itself too seriously.
reviewed by ibook on November 29, 2006 12:13 AM
My husband and I are big fans of Shag's work. I bought this book for him for his birthday and he loves it. The layout is every bit as cool as you would expect and the pictures are brilliant- crisp and saturated with color. A must have for any fan.
reviewed by noreason on November 29, 2006 12:42 PM
If you are a fan of shag's art work such as I am this is a great book to display on your coffee table. The only regret that I have is that I wasn't able to purchase the limited edition copy of this book. Amazon had the best deal on the book I purchased by far.
reviewed by reviewer on November 29, 2006 5:48 PM
The is the 2nd "Art of SHAG"-book. This book contains about 200 JoSH AGle-paintings. If you liked the LAST GASP-book "BOTTOMLESS COCKTAIL/The Art of SHAG" you'll definitely like this one. One crit: This book has 224 pages, so what I'd have liked to have included in a book this thick would be more info on him and sketches by the artist (e.g. like in a JUXTAPOZ-issue where his way of working was displayed. Anyway, nice book, of course a must-have for any SHAG-fan...
reviewed by flow on November 29, 2006 6:12 PM
WOW! Sit back and luxuriate in this fabulous book. At last, a hard back with most of Josh Agle's wonderful works....pages and pages of hedonistic indulgence!! Separated by chapters with names like Jet Setting, Tiki, Mythology, Astrology and Adam & Eve and more. I say "most" of Shag's works as unfortunately, one of my favourites, "Neptune's Girfriend" was omitted. Having said that, the book is a wonderful celebration of his work, so sit back, mix a martini, put Martin Denny on the stereo and get lost in this book..
reviewed by nat on November 29, 2006 7:31 PM
