About the Book
The Art of Symeon Shimin
With text from Symeon Shimin, Edited and Curated by Tonia Shimin
From Hollywood to Beloved Children's Book Illustrator to Muralist and Painter of Justice, Symeon Shimin Left His Mark and a Legacy that Resonates Today The Art of Symeon Shimin presents a striking collection of the fine art of this exceptional Russian born Jewish artist. Curated by the artist's daughter, it is the first collection and overview of Shimin's work. Including an autobiography by the artist, essays by noted arts journalists Josef Woodard and Charles Donelan, over 100 plates and archival photographs, this book showcases art of rare beauty and raw expression.Recognized as an award winning illustrator of 57 children's books, two of his own authoring, Shimin, 1902-1984, was also one of the most highly regarded artists creating posters for Hollywood films, including the original poster for
Gone With the Wind and the 40 ft. canvas for
Solomon and Sheba. Most notably he was acclaimed for his masterpiece, the mural
Contemporary Justice and the Child, commissioned in 1936-1940, by the PWAP, Public Works Arts Project, for the Department of Justice Building, Washington, DC, where it stands today. Chaim Gross stated in 1973, "Shimin is a painter who knows the craft of drawing and painting which in his hands becomes great art." With paintings held in collections including the Chrysler Museum of Art, this is the first complete collection of his fine art.
We are proud to announce that
The Art of Symeon Shimin has been awarded: ★The Independent Press Awards named The Art of Symeon Shimin the Distinguished Favorite for Fine Arts, 2020.★Winner of 2020 NYC Big Book Award in Arts and Entertainment★Winner of The 2021 Book Excellence Award for Art★Winner Pinnacle Book Achievement Award from National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE)★The 2021 Eric Hoffer Honorary Mention Award for Art.★ 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist. Art★ 2021 IPPY Award Winner Bronze Medal Award for Fine Art★ 2022 First Prize Art Book, North Street Book Prize★ 2022 Maincrest Book Award
"This coffee-table style volume (9.6 x 0.7 x 11.7 inches) is an impressively informative presentation that clearly and effectively showcases the life and work of one of the 20th Century's most gifted artists -- and should be considered an essential and core addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university fine arts collections."--Midwest Book Review
"Symeon Shimin was a vessel for the unheard voices of his time. Those who were shunned, he highlighted; for those who were unseen, he provided a stage. He saw the common man for what he was - beautiful, exceptional, and equal." -Lauren Kinsley, Research Editor
--Tonia Shimin
