Vanguard's Slain NARNIA Artist—HANE, Book at BEA/IPPY Awards

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IPPY Awards at BEA honor Vanguard’s new book on murdered Narnia illustrator Roger Hane

New York, NY, May 07, 2010 (PressReleasePoint) -- Vanguard's new book on murdered Chronicles of Narnia artist Roger Hane, entitled ROGER HANE: ART, TIMES & TRAGEDY by R. C. Hunsicker, is a finalist in the Popular Culture category of the 2010 Independent Press Awards (IPPYs), to be presented later this month at Book Expo America in New York. On Tuesday, May 25th, from 6-9 pm, the 14th Annual IPPY Awards will be presented at a big bash in New York, kicking off this year's BookExpo America convention. Vanguard’s Roger Hane book is competing with Dear Andy Kaufman, I Hate Your Guts! and The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art) among others. Vanguard is expected to take home a Gold, Silver or Bronze award.

As millions thrill to the recent Chronicles of Narnia films, a new book jogs New Yorkers’ memory of the 1974 murder of noted Narnia illustrator Roger Hane. The 1974 murder of acclaimed illustrator Roger Hane in Central Park was a major news story in New York in 1974. The new book, Roger Hane: Art, Times & Tragedy, written by R. C. Hunsicker published by Vanguard Productions, is reminding people, not just of the artist’s demise but more importantly, of his brilliant work, which inspired a generation in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The Vanguard book features near-300 pages of art and biography on the star illustrator of The Chronicles of Narnia, Eric Clapton’s Goodbye Cream album, Carlos Castaneda’s A Separate Reality, and more. Roger Hane (1939-1974) was a major force in the revival of American illustration toward the fantastic and surreal in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Two weeks after being named Artist of the Year, by the Artist’s Guild of New York, Hane was senselessly murdered. At the moment of his attack in Central Park, his art graced the covers of both New York and Fortune magazines.

America’s foremost designer, Milton Glaser, who was recently honored by President Obama, (along with Bob Dylan, the subject of Glaser’s famous silhouette poster), provides the foreword for this the new book. Glaser said that at the time of his murder, Hane was the best illustrator in America. In the new impressive compendium, award-winning visual arts and media producer—and personal friend of Roger Hane—Robert C. Hunsicker, expands upon the illustrator’s career and tragic demise.

The distinctive book is widely available and in addition to the IPPY Award, has been recognized by National Public Radio, Steven Heller, The University of the Arts, The Bradford Era, the Society of Illustrators, The Erie Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Print magazine, and is recommended by Library Journal.

"Roger Hane was an innovator in a field of imitators." 
— Dean Powell,  President, Artist Guild of New York, 1974

"In the end, Roger Hane died for nothing,
which is the most difficult and absurd thing of all." 
— Pete Hamill, New York Post, July 1, 1974

“Hane’s work was emblematic of an era when magic, realism and
… symbolic narrative art was at its peak.”
— Steven Heller, Print magazine

“Roger Hane's illustrations were an inspiration to all of us at a time
when the field was in great flux.
— Barron Storey, Illustrator

“Roger was the star of the illustrators.”
— Gordon Kibbee, Illustrator

“The combination of surrealism as the vehicle for communication and the elevating of the finished art to a serious work on canvas separated Roger from what came before.”
— Mark Tocchet, The University of the Arts

“Roger Hane has become an indelible symbol of the 1970s and the best of that era.”
— Walt Reed, Illustration House Gallery

“Roger was never jaded; he was his most severe critic.”
— Frank Metz, New York Magazine

Artwork and photos upon request. The author is available for interviews.
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