Indianapolis-based Walter Knabe has been named the official artist of this year's Indianapolis 500. Past Indy 500 artists include Peter Max and LeRoy Neiman. Knabe is the first Hoosier to land the gig.
Knabe, who has worked with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, has been a staple on the Indianapolis art scene for the past 15 years. His work is featured in the private collections of Neil Simon, Spike Lee, Bill Cosby, Madonna, Michael Jordan and Caroline Kennedy and has been publicly presented at Trump Plaza, the Paris Casino in Las Vegas, Walt Disney World and the White House.
I haven't seen the 500 work yet (it will be revealed this month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway), but I'll safely say that whatever Knabe creates will be a marked improvement over that of 2009's Thomas Kinkade.
Find an IBJ review of a recent Knabe show here.
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Todd Reifers
Indianapolis IN
I was the art director for the Speedway from 1982 until 2001 as a contract supplier. Along with former IMS VP, Bill Donaldson we decided who was to be the cover artist. The first year that I designed the program, 1982, the cover was a photograph montage assembled by me and shot by Indianapolis photographer, Bill Tobias. The second year of my tenure, 1983 we used San Francisco artist, David Grove. In 1984 Indianpolis Sculptor, Roger White created the cover piece. By this time we had begun using international know artists and Indiana artists in alternate years but foreseeing 1986 being the 75th anniversary year and a year that we would want an internationally know artist we used Indiana artist, Ron Burton for 1985. As stated before, in 1986 we used the the late internationally known Bernie Fuchs for the cover which was our first gate fold cover. In 1987 the renown Indiana artist, Todd Reifers produce the art and in 1988, the late internationally known artist Bob Peak produced the cover art. In 1989 Seattle Illustrator, Jim Dietz, did the cover art and in 1990 another Indiana artist, glass sculptor, Stuart Gaunt, created the artwork. In 1991, Bernie Fuchs' art was again on the cover and this artwork received the Gold Medal for that year's Society of Illustrators Annual Awards. In 1992 no less than 6 national and international artists were used for the artwork, all on one cover, with Indiana artist Dave Taylor being one of those illustrators. By 1993 onward until the end of my tenure, by the decision of the management, all the artists were to be of international status. In 1994 it was Ken Dallison, 1995 David Grove, 1996 Jim Dietz, 1997 Philip Castle, 1998 poster artist, Dennis Simon, 1999 Bart Forbes, 2000 David Grove, and in 2001 it was a lenticular, 3D motion cover which I assembled, so at the end of my involvement was about where it started.
I don't know all the designers and artists following the end of my tenure but I do know that gifted Indiana artist, Greg Beall did do the 2006 cover.
I hope this somewhat clears up the debate.
School of Art that resulted in a poster competition. Under the guidance of Illustrator & Instructor Kathleen O'Connell, students would create posters showing various aspects of the race. The winning poster would be reproduced and given away or sold to the public. The posters were strong examples of the excellent work done by Herron students and a huge HIT with the public! To my knowledge, this competition is no longer - its a shame. Thanks Lou
According to IMS, "Knabe is the first Indiana-based artist to be named the Official Artist of the Indianapolis 500."
If that is incorrect, please let me--and IMS--know.
Thanks for reading.
Lou Harry
of the 100th running is wonderful and even
features Leroy Neimann sitting next to
Norman Rockwell and others. Can you find
Dale Earnhart in the crowd? Check for yourself
www.thomaskinkade.com
Why do a few think it is "cool" to put this
amazing American artist down? I don't read
any reason for it in the article. God bless!