Maurice Vellekoop

Vellevision

Gay and Pop

by Tony Esposito

Doing an article on Vellekoop's art is unfair. The usual "a picture is worth a thousand words" applies here. But there is something to say about the man himself and his extraordinary trajectory. Toronto born and still resident, Vellekoop, after graduating from Ontario College of Art, became rapidly in demand. His work with magazines (Rolling Stone, Esquire, Vogue, British Wallpaper, even Sports Illustrated) and publicity agencies gave him a notoriety and, of course, the attention of the general public. Even if his name is not known by all, his art is recognizable by many.

The first word to describe Vellekoop's drawings is 50's. Something out of another era. So the contrasts with the content surprises. Even if, on the surface, Vellekoop is not political or militant, the naive varnish is very thin. Scratch a bit and you will find irony, criticism, subversion... in a stylish way.

At the end of the year 97, Maurice Vellekoop gave us, through publisher Drawn & Quaterly, Vellevision, an anthology of his work as a cartoonist. Au menu: fashion and celebrities, sex (straight, bisexual and gay), humour and breathtaking images.

Vellekoop, Maurice. Vellevision, Drawn & Quaterly,1997, 112 p.

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