Paul Peter Piech's literary linocuts are exhibited in Wales
All images: © The estate of Paul Peter Piech
Piech's work has been the subject of renewed interest in recent years thanks to a book published by Four Corners Books in 2013 and a retrospective held at the People's History Museum in Manchester in 2016.
The New York-born artist spent 17 years in the advertising world, creating covers and editorial contributions for magazines such as British Vogue. He developed a name for himself as a poster designer and graphic artist, who was often drawn to producing pieces with a political orientation and using lettering in addition to his pictures.
In his 1996 obituary, the Independent wrote, "His books and posters confront the viewer with the need for global responsibility and collaboration." The paper also amusingly notes that Piech was sent to Cardiff during World War II and while he was with the US Air Force was responsible for painting "glamorous blondes" on the front of airplanes.
In the last part of his life, after moving to Porthcawl, Piech began to incorporate the Welsh language and culture into his work. These pieces are shown alongside his literary posters in the exhibition.
They are shown next to the original linocut printing blocks – from which Piech was apparently never far away. Obviously, the artist always had his cutter on hand and worked every night on Christmas Day – keeping an eye on Coronation Street – and even from his hospital bed.
Pitch's work offers a kind of scratchy intensity, especially in his large-eyed literary portraits. His willingness to deal with political and social issues seems to be particularly relevant today.
The artist himself said: “I simply look at humanity as it is and then make a graphic expression of it. The purpose of graphic expression is to recognize the truth they lack and to do something about it. I don't want to sit around and be silent. "
Paul Peter Piech's literary world can be viewed at the National Library of Wales until January 23, 2021. library.wales