Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations

The first retrospective book on Maira Kalman, a beloved illustrator, author, and designer, offers an extensive look at her imaginative genius, spanning children's books to New Yorker covers, fashion to philosophical musings. Kalman's world, depicted in over one hundred paintings and drawings, as well as lesser-known works in photography, textiles, and embroidery, is a colorful and varied kaleidoscope. The monograph serves as a companion to a traveling exhibition and showcases Kalman's diverse body of work, including illustrated books, designed clocks, New York Times columns, fabrics, and sets for choreographer Mark Morris. The book also reveals Kalman as a collector, commentator, traveler, and list-maker through an installation tableau of "many tables of many things." Essays explore Kalman's unique ability to distill the extraordinary from the ordinary, making this a delightful celebration of a life dedicated to artistic expression, appealing to readers of all ages.