Product Description

Product Details

• Published on: 2001-12-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From the Publisher
"This collection of his visionary art is a must-have for all space and science fiction enthusiasts."

From the Author
Sir Patrick Moore wrote: What a magnificent book! David is well and truly in a class of his own."

Please note that this book should be linked, NOT just with Art, Photography etc., but with astronomy, space, space art and science fiction.

From the Inside Flap
HARDYWARE brings together the vast array of work produced by David A Hardy over his career. His work has appeared in magazines such as SCIENCE FICTION MONTHLY, SPACE VOYAGER, ANALOG and most particularly THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, and he has also been a prolific illustrator o]for books, book covers, advertising, television and cinema, as well as writing seven of his own books. His fine art is in wide demand.

Illustrated with artwork from throughout his career, from the early 1950s to the present day, the book also includes special features on his books, CHALLENGE OF THE STARS (1972), GALACTIC TOURS (1081), VISIONS OF SPACE (1989/1990) and THE FIRES WITHIN (1991).

This collection of his visionary art is a myust-have for all space and science fiction enthusiasts.

Customer Reviews

The Future and Beyond
One issue that I grapple with frequently is the difference between "art" and "illustration". In the world of fine art illustrators are generally looked on as an inferior breed by the critics. In his introduction to "Hardyware" David A. Hardy expresses his reproof at modern art's derision of anything beautiful or representational.

This got me thinking. If SF art is "mere illustration" as an art critic would say, what about all those historical paintings of heaven and hell, the last judgement and armageddon? Critics seem to love those.

But I digress. SF art does have its place, and it plays an important role. The main body of "Hardyware" gives us a glimpse of the possibilties that await us in the future. If things turn out properly and we don't destroy ourselves, our descendents will become great builders with the potential to conquer the stars. Most of the artwork in this collection is done in gouache and acrylic, although more recently the artist has turned to digital media.

We see visions of the past as well as the future. One of my favourite pieces is a scene from "The War of the Worlds". I remember seeing that image on a cover jacket when I was 12, although I didn't know who the artist was back then. The image of a dinosaur looking up at a descending asteroid is hauntingly grim.

I often think SF artists are underrated. Though they are often proved wrong, their visions provide a valuable contribution to the development of our civilization, giving inspiration to those who have the ability to make fantasy a reality.

Great Book!
This super book contains well over a hundred examples of the work of perhaps our best living space artist, along with a fascinating text full of insights into his thinking and his modus operandi.