Description
Book SynopsisExploring Shell's remarkable archive of advertising art, this book is the first to present a comprehensive overview of the company's artistic heritage. Examinations of the historical, political and social contexts of Shell art and advertising enable the authors to assess the work's broader cultural significance. By delving into the ways in which Shell's publicity was conceived, commissioned, produced and disseminated, the particular contributions made by artists and designers including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Edward McKnight Kauffer, are highlighted, while broader questions such as Shell's position within contemporary debates regarding the aesthetics and proper purpose of 'Commercial Art' are explored. Drawing primarily on Shell's extensive poster collection, as well as other contemporary sources, Shell Art & Advertising provides valuable insights into the development of commercial art in the UK. Featuring a wealth of fascinating images, this original publication will appeal to cultural historians, as well as fans of Modern British Art.
Trade Review‘[Shell’s] publicity was multimedia. There were the whimsical Shell Guides by John Betjeman and John Piper, and a film unit of such distinction that during World War II Beddington was seconded to the Ministry of Information to make documentaries. These events are told in lively and well-researched text and one learns much about the Shell Guides in particular, but it’s the skill and variety of the poster art that will persuade most people to buy this book. The oil behemoth’s output celebrated the British landscape or quirky landmarks, often using contemporary artists to highlight the modern world that petrol had brought into being.’ –
World of InteriorsTable of ContentsForeword; Introduction - The Spirit of Advertising, Nicky Balfour Penney; Chapter 1 - From a Shell to a Giant, Oliver Green; Chapter 2 - Posters, Patronage and Prestige: 1928-1945, Margaret Timmers; Chapter 3 - Shell: The Work of Art, Scott Anthony; Shell's Legacy, Margaret Timmers and Nicky Balfour Penney; Selected biographies; Acknowledgements; Picture Credits; Index
