Michael Russem has fulfilled a dream I’ve had: He began a bookshop and gallery devoted to e book arts, typography and graphic design. Previously, as proprietor of the Kat Ran Press, he printed small however visually wealthy booklets on topics as various as designer postage stamps, banknotes and e book covers by recognized and forgotten designers. The Katherine Small Gallery in Somerville, MA, is at the moment exhibiting Janet Halverson: An Introduction—which Russem curated—by means of Jan. 13, and not too long ago printed a catalog with the identical title.
This catalog caught my eye as a result of it launched me to a feminine pioneer of contemporary cowl design who was unknown to me. Certainly, a lot of her life (and she or he’s nonetheless dwelling at 97) is one thing of a thriller. Seymour Chwast, who illustrated one in all her covers (beneath) when she was on employees at Harcourt Brace, recollects solely, “I cherished Janet. She was nice to work with.”
Halverson designed, artwork directed or illustrated over 1000 e book wrappers. Russem instructed me he started gathering her work round 10 years in the past, however even after he discovered the place she at the moment resides he has by no means spoken to her — “not desirous to disturb her”.
He writes, “Janet Halverson designed covers and jackets for books written by a few of the most necessary authors of the twentieth century. That and the truth that these covers and jackets are extremely regarded by up to date designers of covers and jackets is, roughly, all that’s recognized about her. There are not any books about her. There are not any articles. Most up-to-date references to her on the web are by individuals desirous to see and know extra. After we tracked down individuals who may’ve recognized her, we had been most frequently instructed, ‘I knew Janet—however not effectively.’”
Sadly, he provides, “this exhibition received’t present a lot attention-grabbing details about Halverson’s life”. Listed here are the naked bones: She was born in Orono, Maine, in 1926, grew up in New Haven, labored in New York, and presently lives in suburban New Jersey. “However at the very least there’s her work. And from that work we will discern that she was an excellent and creative and good designer. This present received’t present the definitive story of her life and work. It’s, alas, solely an introduction.”
