Overview

In Leonard Cohen, master engraver George A. Walker offers new perspectives on the life and artistic accomplishments of a poet and musician who has captivated generations for six decades and whose influence circles the globe still. Arranged chronologically, the engravings depict scenes from Cohen's many and varied creative endeavors, including poetry, novels, singing and songwriting. The book also presents portraits of some of the many famous characters who shared Cohen's life and friendship, from poets Irving Layton and Allan Ginsberg, to musicians Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, and celebrated artist Andy Warhol. Best read to music, Leonard Cohen presents images of Cohen's iconic public persona alongside vivid interpretations of his ever-evolving work. The engravings compose a biographical mosaic that invites readers to contemplate the public perception of Cohen's critical and commercial acclaim. Some scenes are drawn from history, others from Walker's imagination. The images encourage us to search beyond the visual elements and to see in them a poem, a song, a meaningful turn of phrase. They urge us to consider Cohen's life and work through the lens of our own experience. Leonard Cohen was conceived as a celebration of Cohen's eightieth birthday and was first published as a limited edition of eighty copies hand printed at Walker's studio in Toronto. This revised edition has 2 additional engravings. AUTHOR: George A. Walker holds an MA in Communication and Culture from Ryerson and York University. He is an Associate Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design University where he teaches book-related arts in the Printmaking program. He is the author of the popular how-to book, The Woodcut Artist's Handbook, now in its second edition. He is recognized for Graphic Witness, his art history book on wordless novels. He was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2002 in recognition of his achievements in Canadian Book Arts.

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9780228102885

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Reviews

An adapted and expanded version of a book first published in a limited edition to mark Cohen's 80th birthday in 2014, the new book takes the Cohen story all the way to the end, utilizing 82 wood-engraved images and minimal captions to create an engrossing work that is, in the author's apt words, 'something more akin to a silent film than to a structured textual narrative'.--Ian McGillis Montreal Gazette (11/07/2020)

The Canadian master engraver first published this intimate book as a very limited edition to mark Leonard Cohen's 80th birthday; this reprise expands to include the troubadour's final exit. A largely wordless biography of stark woodcuts that has the expressive power of a silent film.--Nathalie Atkinson Globe and Mail (11/27/2020 12:00:00 AM) [Review of previous edition: ] Definitely succeeds as an art book, thanks to the quality of Walker's engravings; and as a collectible for Cohen fans, thanks to how well the artist captures his subject.--Jeff Fleischer Foreword Reviews (2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM) An adapted and expanded version of a book first published in a limited edition to mark Cohen's 80th birthday in 2014, the new book takes the Cohen story all the way to the end, utilizing 82 wood-engraved images and minimal captions to create an engrossing work that is, in the author's apt words, 'something more akin to a silent film than to a structured textual narrative'.--Ian McGillis Montreal Gazette (11/7/2020 12:00:00 AM) Selection, Holiday Gift Guide-- CBC Books (12/2/2020 12:00:00 AM) The engravings are intricate, accurate, and creative... It's truly fascinating to read about his life through the eyes of Walker.--Ethan Gresko Hook Magazine (2/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

George A. Walker holds an MA in Communication and Culture from Ryerson and York University. He is an Associate Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design University where he teaches book-related arts in the Printmaking program. He is the author of the popular how-to book, The Woodcut Artist's Handbook, now in its second edition. He is recognized for Graphic Witness, his art history book on wordless novels. He was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2002 in recognition of his achievements in Canadian Book Arts.

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