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Articles

Is Brillo Box an Illustration?

Thomas E. Wartenberg uses Warhol’s work to illustrate his theory of illustration.

Recently I took part in an ‘Author Meets Critics’ session at the 2024 College Art Association Meetings. The three critics of my book, Thoughtful Images: Illustrating Philosophy Through Art (OUP, 2023), were all artists. Each had insightful things to say about the relationship between my claims about illustration and their own artistic production. I was genuinely touched to hear how my book had affected their understanding of their own work as well as how it shifted their previously dismissive attitude towards ‘mere’ illustration. But afterwards, during the question-answer session, a question arose that has been preoccupying me ever since.

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