Shag: The Art of Josh Agle

by Josh Agle, Colin Berry, Billy Shire (Foreword)

This is the first major monograph of one of today's most popular and widely regarded artists, Josh Aglemore 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 outputhis 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 contemporariescreating 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.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 2005

About the author

See Shag

Reviews

[Christian West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't find the intro fascinating at all, the pictures in this are amazing. SHAG's use is single block colours to represent components of people (clothing, hair, skin) really appeal to me, and the 60s/70s vibe of the scenes is great.

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

Josh Agle, better known as Shag, a contraction of the last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last.

There are over 180 retro and quirky illustrations in this book. Most of them are traditional medium although I mistook them for vector art on first impression.

Besides the wild colour scheme, there's always something off in his paintings. It can be a lady listening to a small man playing inside a bird cage, or a bartender with four arms, or even the devil sewing a piece of leaf for Eve. That's the quirkiness that sets Shag apart from other artists.

There's not much text other than a short history of Shag's life and career.

His style is definitely unique and not for everyone.

[Matthew Revert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shag is a bit of a phenom in the Australian Lowbrow art world. We eat his work up like fairy bread. The work in this book is the perfect retro getaway and buoyed by the fact he REALLY knows his stuff.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION!

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiration for any artist or vintage lover. (:

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live in Shag's world.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of Shag art! With all the usual suspects present: tikis, femme fatales, monkeys, the jet set crowd, and more.

[Kazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meet Josh and had him sign my book, he is a fabulous artist.