Artist-photographer Tim Walker has won a cult following for his flamboyant, lavishly staged, and surrealist fashion photography. Now he brings his unique brand of very British fantasia to a subject close to all our hearts: grandmothers.
The first volume of this very special twinset offers a collection of characterful photographs of grannies and the things nearest to each of them, arranged alphabetically and accompanied by short, gently humorous verses by Kit Hesketh-Harvey. The second volume is delightfully populated with Lawrence Mynott's drawings of lively old ladies. Spirited, stylish, sweet—here are granny archetypes of every stripe. You'll find Lucinda, whose hat addiction shows no sign of waning, and Kitty, whose knitting skills are second to none. You might even meet the Queen—the most famous British granny of all.
This whimsical vision of a rose-printed, feline-filled arcadia will be irresistible to enthusiasts of photography and contemporary illustration, and anyone touched by its delightful tribute to the grannies we love and admire.Reviews
A sweet two-volume tribute to grandmothers.
— New York Daily News
Walker photographs real grandmothers with their most prized possessions, and the results are whimsical and surprisingly compelling.
— GoodMorningAmerica.com
A tribute to gray-haired glamazons everywhere.
— Fast Co.Design
An ode to …the beauty and clarity of old age.
— Portland Book Review
A playful look at aging and frailty.
— Library Journal
With its array of octogenarian subjects clad in nubby cardigans, sensible shoes, croc handbags and whimsical hats — not to mention a still life of fake teeth and the pattern from a plastic polka-dotted rain bonnet used as the book's endpaper — The Granny Alphabet takes a droll view on aging.
— The New York Times
Photographer and artist Tim Walker turns his kooky eye toward a subject close to everyone's heart…A celebration of the surreal styling and over-the-top scenes for which Walker has gained a cultish following.
— San Francisco Chronicle
Though photo shoots with grannies might seem a reach for a fashion photographer, subject and artist turn out to be a surprisingly good fit…Walker's work is at its most playful and opulent, with images of bubblegum pink dentures next to a pink-walled bathroom; a nana reclining among towering hat boxes; another dressed to the nines in a faux puma coat.
— Publishers Weekly
Now, according to the new book, The Granny Alphabet, [Tim] Walker has chosen to pay homage to 'the dying breed of little old ladies who live down the lane.'
— Fast Co.Create
The charmingly dotty 'Granny Alphabet' …introduces a parade of willfully eccentric old ladies
— The New York Times
Contributors
Tim Walker
Author
Tim Walker is a prize-winning photographer whose work appears regularly in the world’s best fashion magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, W, Harper’s Bazaar, and Love. His work is held in the permanent collections of both the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Author
Kit Hesketh-Harvey is an award-winning performer, composer, writer, and translator. He lives in England.
Lawrence Mynott
Author
Lawrence Mynott is an illustrator, designer and portrait painter. His work has appeared on Penguin book covers and has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
