Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration At the Society of Illustrators, March 1 – June 3, 2017 Curated by Denis Kitchen and John Lind
The lasting legacy that Will Eisner (1917-2005) has in sequential
art cannot be overstated-he is known as the Champion of the Graphic Novel. His innovative
storytelling, layouts, and art on his newspaper series The Spirit inspired a generation of cartoonists, and his turn toward an acclaimed run of graphic novels, beginning in 1978 with A Contract with God, helped pioneer the form. Among the honors bestowed upon Eisner are the Reuben Award, the Milton Cani Lifetime Achievement Award, the Yellow Kid Award, the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame and multiple Harvey Awards and Eisner Awards-the latter of which were named in his honor.
From March 1 – June 3, 2017, the Society of Illustrators in New York will host this two-floor retrospective- the largest Eisner exhibition ever in the United States. This exhibit, curated by Denis Kitchen and John Lind, comprises over 150 pieces including original artwork from Smash Comics (1939); key sequences from his graphic novels A Contract with God (1978), Life on Another Planet (1983), A Life Force (1988), To the Heart of the Storm (1991), and more than 40 pages of originals from The Spirit (1940-1952) newspaper section. Also included are personal items from Eisner’s career, such as his studio drawing board, brushes, and awards.
* An opening reception will be held at the Society of Illustrators on the evening of March 10, from 7:30 – 11:00pm. Suggested donation of $20 helps support our programming and exhibitions. Cash bar will be open until midnight.
* On April 22, there will be a gallery talk led by curators Denis Kitchen and John Lind.
* A panel discussion on Will Eisner is scheduled for May 9.
Please visit www.societyillustrators.org for further details and event schedules.
About the Society of Illustrators
About the Society of Illustrators Founded in 1901, the Society of Illustrators and its Museum of Illustration together comprise America’s longest-standing nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of illustration. The mission of SI/MI is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration and its history and evolving nature through exhibitions and educational programs.
An oversized hardcover catalogue- Will Eisner The Centennial Celebration-reproduces select pieces from the 2017 exhibitions at the Society of Illustrators (NYC) and Le Musée de la Bande Dessinée (Angoulême), and includes essays by Denis Kitchen, John Lind, and Paul Gravett. It will be released by the Kitchen Sink Books imprint of Dark Horse Books in March 2017.
Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration
176 pages, 10 x 14 inch Hardcover
Available in the Society of Illustrators Museum Shop. $49.99
GENERAL INFORMATION
SI is located at 128 East 63rd Street between Lexington and Park Avenue in New York City.
SI is open to the public:
Tues and Thurs: 10am to 8pm
Wed and Fri: 10am to 5pm
Sat: 11pm to 4pm.
For admission costs and additional information please call 212.838.2560 or visit our website at: www.societyillustrators.org