"Welcome To America" By Michael Heath, (published by William Heinermann Ltd, London 1985) - Part 3

 

 

A few snapshots of the 1980's America - a bit of social history too. This one is of New Orleans, there's Nashville below and plenty of Las Vegas some of which I'll be posting tomorrow. Lots of interesting information on buildings, fashion, travel etc in these pictures as well as homour. The artist, Michael Heath must have had quite a few experiences travelling all over that massive country.Here is the artist's biography from the British Cartoons Archive: http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/artists/michaelheath/biography

 

 

 

"Welcome To America" By Michael Heath, (published by William Heinermann Ltd, London 1985) - Part 2

 

 

This is a great collection of drawings by one of Britain's most famous cartoonists of the past few decades, Michael Heath (born 1935). Inspired by the artist's trip to the United States they provide a poignant insight of the country, its people and way of life seen from a European perspective. They remind me of similar drawings by George Gross - another great European (German) artist - of  American cities and way of life in the years after World War Two. I will be posting some of those as well in the near future.

 

 

In the eighties, the world's perception of American society came through shows like Dallas and Dynasty that did not include any ordinary characters or real life drama so portraying the more gritty aspects of the country would have been refreshing and evocative to the British audience.     

             

 

Some of these guys wouldn't even fit inside the A-Team's van, let alone star in the show but super heroes have to look cool and so perfect always or the movies wouldn't sell any tickets!

 

"Welcome To America" By Michael Heath, (published by William Heinermann Ltd, London 1985)