MARSHALL ARISMAN

ARISMAN--Marshall. Marshall Arisman, chairperson and founder of the School of Visual Arts (SVA NYC) MFA Illustration As Visual Essay program since 1984, a respected artist, illustrator, filmmaker and author, died suddenly of heart failure on April 22. "A deeply and widely beloved figure, Marshall's influence has been much greater than a succession of important roles," writes David Rhodes, President of SVA. "A singular, protean figure in his profession, his editorial illustration is instantly recognizable and universally admired, his painting and sculpture provided spiritual context throughout. His rich deep voice was full of stories; whether he was speaking just to you or to a packed auditorium he was simultaneously modest and mesmerizing, and the story might somehow morph into a saxophone solo." Arisman contributed illustrations to the New York Times Magazine, OpEd Page, Book Review, Time, Playboy, The Progressive, among others and illustrated posters, books and publications. His paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings are in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum, the National Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as private and corporate collections. He is an inductee in the Art Directors and Society of Illustrators Halls of Fame and, among many inspirational videos, he is the subject of a full-length documentary film directed by Tony Silver titled Facing the Audience: The Arts of Marshall Arisman. Born in Jamestown, New York, on October 14, 1938, he graduated in 1960 from Pratt Institute with a degree in Graphic Design. Afterward he worked at GM for three months in Experimental Graphic Design Program on the Delco battery logo. He started teaching drawing at SVA in 1964 and was named Chair of the Design & Illustration Department in 1967. In 1970, as SVA moved to the awarding of degrees, Arisman became Co-Chair of the Media Arts Department. Arisman is survived by his wife Dee Ito; they married in 1964. His parents Helen Alexis Arisman, Walter Arisman and brother Bruce Arisman are deceased. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Joel and Joyce Ito, their children and grandchildren. "Marshall's passing impacts generations of his students--those many shelves of their [illustrated] books always made him proud," adds President Rhodes, "as well as generations of colleagues who will remember his grace and generosity." photo: danwagner.com