If You're Reading This, There's Still Time.

by Morley, Frank Warren (Foreword)

Morley is a Los Angeles-based street artist that specializes in bold, typographic posters which he wheat pastes within the urban landscape. Blending humor, hope and his unique perspective on life, Morley's aim is to act as a friendly voice amongst the cacophony of billboarded messages and corporate slogans. This voice was given a face when he began including an image of himself in each of his pieces, looking to create a more intimate relationship between the artist and the audience than many of his anonymous contemporaries could allow. In 2011, Morley's work caught the eye of Steve Lazarides whose Outsiders imprint began selling his work, describing it thusly: "His sympathetic statements give the tirelessly aspirational residents a welcome reminder of what's important in life: love, simple pleasures, making the world a slightly better place and not hating on yourself too much." Today, he continues to paste his work in any city that doesn't enforce their vandalism laws through caning. Also he made us promise to include the fact that he can hold his breath for over an hour, and that if anyone challenged him to a breath holding contest, they would totally lose - but he was probably lying about that.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Khadija Sharafi]

A book filled with hope, encouragement and obviously street art. I want a pocket sized version of this book to keep it with me at all times

[jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gorgeous collection of text-based wheatpaste posters from l.a. street artist morley, if you're reading this, there's still time also features an array of humble, thought-provoking essays on the nature of life, love, ambition, success, alienation, materialism, and the urban milieu. additionally, morley includes literary/philosophical quotes from some of the greats, answers to questions submitted by fans, and an assortment of interactive ephemera (valentines, paper dolls, et al.). if you're unfamiliar with morley's art, his website/blog is well worth checking out. frank warren (postsecret), whom penned the foreword, describes morley's art thus: "balanced between sentimentality and skepticism, cheerfulness and chiding, morley's works can feel like love notes, private jokes, public secrets, or a last testament. he provides a cool tonic for the heat and isolation of los angeles."

there's a lot to admire about the true visionaries of our world, and yet, something to pity as well. to be forced to spend your life waiting for the world to catch up to your ideas must feel like a punishment. of course, there are numerous men and women who've been able to translate their vision to monumental levels of success and progress, but i trust that even they feel the frustrating burden of imagining a world that can never truly be, left only to make the best of the broken pieces they're offered from this one.

[Debi G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorites include the messages on pages 90-91, 113, 116, 172, and 213 (which reminds me of Lot's wife, and Vonnegut's love for her): "There's nothing more beautiful than one last look."

The vouchers are worth a read as well.

This book is a lively reminder of our shared human experiences.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

You don't need me, but here I am anyway.

[Kristie Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I am not ashamed of my karaoke persona."

"I love you enough to pick you up from the airport."

"We're just getting to the good part."

[Chad Carteret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply amazing, thought-provoking, and poignant.

[Chuck Knudsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is a nice book of graffiti that I just don't really like. The actual art is repetitive, and trite.