Artist Jim Flora probably never listened to WFMU. He was a fan of Bix and bebop (i.e., foot-tapping jazz) and the Budapest String Quartet, none of which garners heavy rotation on our "free-form" airwaves. Yet Flora unknowingly contributed to WFMU's visual identity several times in recent years. His cartoonish figures have appeared on a station t-shirt, hoodie, bumper sticker, and Marathon mailer, as well as an oversized canvas banner displayed hither and yon.
Flora wasn't aware of these adaptations of his work because he passed away ten years ago today at age 84.
The images were used by WFMU designers thru arrangement with the Flora family, with whom I've worked for several years archiving and cataloging the artist's vast (and largely uncirculated) fine art collection. Flora's 1955 Mambo For Cats LP cover (re-purposed at left by co-archivist Barbara Economon) is one of his most iconic illustrations. Flora's hyperactive gremlins frolicked across dozens of quirky album covers for Columbia in the 1940s and RCA Victor in the 1950s. Today his work adorns new CDs.
Over a career that spanned from the early 1940s, when he was Art Director of Columbia Records, to the 1980s, when he authored and illustrated the last of his 17 popular kid-lit epics, Flora practiced art in service of business. He was a highly sought commercial illustrator who probably turned down more jobs than he accepted. In retirement during the 1980s and '90s, his output of paintings, drawings, and sketches increased. One of his final works was poignantly entitled "Taken Before His Time."
J.D. King, an admirer (and WFMU contributor), called Flora "a monster" (in an artistic sense). You could say the same about Flora's hallucinatory spawn.
very cool, i admit to never having heard of him- yet i see how his style has been co-opted by modern retro illustration, and even my own at times. thanks for the education. shag should owe this guy his career.
Posted by: trav | July 09, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Beautiful--I'd seen the pieces of his used for WFMU, but didn't see the extent of his genius until seeing the "hallucinatory spawn" link.
Posted by: Ben | July 09, 2008 at 11:23 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!! Love that Flora!! Jeffrey...
Posted by: dr.ashtray | July 09, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I agree with trav's comment on SHAG owing Flora his entire career!!
Posted by: dr.ashtray | July 09, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I like Jim Flora's work, but there has always been something bugging me about it. Looking at the "spawn" link, it finally hit me; his work has no depth. That is, it is all two dimensional. Regardless of the media or subject matter, there is no third dimension. I wonder if he was blind in one eye.
Posted by: Vince | July 09, 2008 at 11:46 AM
does 2d illustration have to have a third dimension? it's very 'cut paper' in look, but mixes naive with stylized training excellently. i don't think depth of feild is necessary for spot illustrations and energetic album covers.
Posted by: trav | July 09, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I didn't say that a depth of field was necessary, just that it is lacking in ALL of his work. ALL of his work is still great. My only question now is, is that a conscious or subconscious thing?
Posted by: Vince | July 09, 2008 at 12:18 PM
certainly conscious- flora had a great sense of depth even if he flattened his planes. think matisse or picasso.
Posted by: fatty jubbo | July 09, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I'd love to hear that Mambo for Cats album, but it doesn't seem to be available on CD and I haven't seen any copies online. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Texas Prairie Chicken | July 09, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Without knowing Flora, I would say his flat designs were intentional. I wonder if he influenced the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons style? Interesting comparison to Matisse and Picasso. I see the progenitors. If I had $1000 I'd buy that exquisite 63rd Street print and I'm in love with his wood cuts.
Posted by: horold | July 09, 2008 at 02:45 PM