Spectrum 24: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art
Lose yourself in the many fantasy and sci-fi highlights that appeared in 2016, with art from Wesley Burt, Karla Ortiz and more.
There’s page after page of exquisite art that readers will become lost in
Editor John Fleskes Publisher Flesk Price £30 Web www.fleskpublications.com
Remember 2016? It might have been a controversial year, but one thing’s for certain: it was a great year for fantasy and science fiction art. The best genre art from those 12 months is sandwiched between Spectrum 24’s covers, in what proves to be a worthy addition to the premier showcase series.
Thanks to its unrivalled status as the place for artists in the genre to be seen, appearing in its hallowed pages is a dream come true for many, if not all, of those included in this most recent collection.
As well as shouldering the duty of helping the featured artists reach a wider appreciative audience, Spectrum 24 also includes the winners of the coveted Spectrum awards. In the book’s introduction we meet the distinguished judges tasked with picking the gold and silver award winners across the collection’s eight categories. These sections include advertising, books, comics, concept art, dimensional (which covers sculptures and fine art), editorial, institutional (as in promotional material), and perhaps the most exciting category of all: unpublished.
Before diving into the categories we’re introduced to Spectrum Grand Master Bill Sienkiewicz, Spectrum Rising Star Alessandra Pisano, and the creator of the award statues, J Anthony Kosar. Then it’s up to the book’s editor John Fleskes to deliver his year in review. After acknowledging the divisions forged in 2016, he ends on a rousing note by observing that diversity is at the core of Spectrum. “Its motto of inclusion will always remain constant.” A fitting way to kick off the eclectic mix of artists across the 305 pages.
What follows is a bombardment of over 500 works by more than 300 of the most gifted visionaries working in the field of fantastic arts. This means there’s page after page of exquisite art that readers will become lost in. Each image has thorough captions that shed light on what medium has been used, which is sure to fascinate and assist artists poring over them.
With a series as influential as Spectrum it’s difficult to overstate its importance. But if you want to see how high the bar is set in fantasy and science fiction art this is a must-have. Get it and be inspired.