“No Star Is Lost” by James T. Farrell, Signet Books, 1952 The Monmouth Museum is hosting an exhibit of paintings by Red Bank native James Avati, the pre-eminent painter of paperback book covers in the second half of the 20th century.
“The Painting World of James Avati” will run through Sept. 4 at the museum, on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft.
Avati’s approach was to capture a book’s overall theme rather than a specific scene.
By employing gritty, boldly realistic characters placed in sharply detailed settings, Avati created a unique style that sold books.
He often used family members (including himself) and friends in his hometown of Red Bank as models.
By the early 1950s, his provocative, honest style was being emulated throughout the industry. His realistic paintings graced the covers of books written by such noted authors as C.S. Forester (“The African Queen”), Ralph Ellison (“The Invisible Man”), J.D. Salinger (“Catcher in the Rye”), Pearl S. Buck (“The Good Earth”) andWilliam Faulkner (“Sanctuary”).
James Avati in his Red Bank studio. Photograph courtesy of George Severini, Dorn’s Classic Images collection. The exhibition features more than 60 of Avati’s original artworks as well as studio photographs, book covers and memorabilia.
Museum admission is $7 per person; museum members and Brookdale Community College staff and students with a valid ID are free. For hours and additional information, call 732-747-2266, or visit the website at www.monmouthmuseum.org.
“Kneel to the Sun and Other Stories” by Erskine Caldwell, Signet Books, 1951; collection of Robert Weiner.