A collection of whimsical mail art sent to and from the late illustrator known for his playful sketches and line drawings, with contributions from Marcel Dzama, Stefan Marx and moreThis volume engages with the broader artistic practice of artist and illustrator Jason Polan, famous for his ink sketches of the city's people and places, as collected in the cult favorite tome Every Person in New York.
Author(s): Jason Fulford
228 Pages
Art, Individual Artists

Description

Book Synopsis

A collection of whimsical mail art sent to and from the late illustrator known for his playful sketches and line drawings, with contributions from Marcel Dzama, Stefan Marx and more

This volume engages with the broader artistic practice of artist and illustrator Jason Polan, famous for his ink sketches of the city's people and places, as collected in the cult favorite tome Every Person in New York. The Post Office collects a body of materials Polan exchanged through the mail with friends, fans and penpals, as well as the artwork that he in turn received, often whimsical drawings and short text works. In gathering the material, the project reflects on Polan's affinity for the US Postal Service and his commitment to mail art as a means to build networks and make connections--a practice he maintained over many years with both friends and strangers alike. The result is a new perspective on Polan's legacy, highlighted through an exchange that is playful and often touching, the contours of which offer an expanded portrait of the artist.
Jason Polan (1982-2020) was a Michigan-born, New York City-based artist and illustrator known for his humorous and prolific output, sketching strangers, art-world figures, celebrities, friends, objects and the things he spotted on his many museum visits. His illustrations have appeared in Metropolis Magazine, the New Yorker and ARTnews and his books have generated wide acclaim. His work also appeared in a regular column in the New York Times, and on apparel in a collaboration with Uniqlo. His books include Every Person in New York and Every Piece of Art in the Museum of Modern Art.

Review Quotes

Saved letters and mail art ephemera by the late American artist, known for his project 'Every Person in New York, ' form a 'kind of portrait, and a manifesto for finding happiness in the tiny details of life.'--Nathalie Atkinson "The Globe and the Mail"

The humble postal label was [Jason Polan's] preferred way to disseminate his messages, and so was mail itself.--Steven Heller "Print magazine"

Specifications

Dimensions (Overall): 8.9 Inches (H) x 6.77 Inches (W) x .79 Inches (D)

Weight: 1.3 Pounds

Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up

Number of Pages: 228

Genre: Art

Sub-Genre: Individual Artists

Publisher: Printed Matter, Inc.

Theme: Artists' Books

Format: Paperback

Author: Jason Fulford

Language: English

Street Date: September 9, 2025

TCIN: 1003233138

UPC: 9780894391033

Item Number (DPCI): 247-40-6541

Origin: Made in the USA or Imported

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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.79 inches length x 6.77 inches width x 8.9 inches height

Estimated ship weight: 1.3 pounds

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