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PRINTED MATTER, INC.
Jason Polan: The Post Office
Edited by Jason Fulford. Contributions by Marcel Dzama, Christina Tosi, Stefan Marx, Richard Mcguire, Rich Jacobs, Alec Soth, Barry McGee.
A collection of whimsical mail art sent to and from the late illustrator known for his playful sketches and line drawings, with contributions from Marcel Dzama, Stefan Marx and more
This volume engages with the broader artistic practice of artist and illustrator Jason Polan, famous for his ink sketches of the city's people and places, as collected in the cult favorite tome Every Person in New York. The Post Office collects a body of materials Polan exchanged through the mail with friends, fans and penpals, as well as the artwork that he in turn received, often whimsical drawings and short text works. In gathering the material, the project reflects on Polan's affinity for the US Postal Service and his commitment to mail art as a means to build networks and make connections—a practice he maintained over many years with both friends and strangers alike. The result is a new perspective on Polan's legacy, highlighted through an exchange that is playful and often touching, the contours of which offer an expanded portrait of the artist. Jason Polan (1982–2020) was a Michigan-born, New York City–based artist and illustrator known for his humorous and prolific output, sketching strangers, art-world figures, celebrities, friends, objects and the things he spotted on his many museum visits. His illustrations have appeared in Metropolis Magazine, the New Yorker and ARTnews and his books have generated wide acclaim. His work also appeared in a regular column in the New York Times, and on apparel in a collaboration with Uniqlo. His books include Every Person in New York and Every Piece of Art in the Museum of Modern Art.
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
Print magazine
Steven Heller
The humble postal label was [Jason Polan's] preferred way to disseminate his messages, and so was mail itself.
The Globe and the Mail
Nathalie Atkinson
Saved letters and mail art ephemera by the late American artist, known for his project 'Every Person in New York,' form a 'kind of portrait, and a manifesto for finding happiness in the tiny details of life.'
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Beloved Ann Arbor–born, NYC-based illustrator Jason Polan was renowned for his humorous and engaging sketches of citizens (and celebrities) simply engaging in the world—especially at museums and iconic New York City locations. (MoMA Design curator Paola Antonelli called him an NYC “treasure” and compared him to New York Times style photographer Bill Cunningham.) An open-minded, absolute anti-snob, he founded the open-to-all Taco Bell Drawing Club, had a regular column in the New York Times, and his drawings were published in the New Yorker, Metropolis, McSweeney’s and other venues. His epic project to sketch “Every Person in New York” became a bestselling book. And he collaborated with UNIQLO, Nike, Vans and Marvel Comics. By the time he died, at just 37 years old, from cancer, he had charmed millions and corresponded with hundreds. Featured here are a few spreads from Printed Matter’s posthumous new release, Jason Polan: The Post Office, collecting to-and-from mail art gathered by Polan’s friend and fellow artist, Jason Fulford, who calls the book a “kind of portrait, and a manifesto for finding happiness in the tiny details of life.” continue to blog
FORMAT: Pbk, 6.5 x 9 in. / 228 pgs / 150 color / 40 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $35.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $49 GBP £28.00 ISBN: 9780894391033 PUBLISHER: Printed Matter, Inc. AVAILABLE: 9/9/2025 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: WORLD
Published by Printed Matter, Inc.. Edited by Jason Fulford. Contributions by Marcel Dzama, Christina Tosi, Stefan Marx, Richard Mcguire, Rich Jacobs, Alec Soth, Barry McGee.
A collection of whimsical mail art sent to and from the late illustrator known for his playful sketches and line drawings, with contributions from Marcel Dzama, Stefan Marx and more
This volume engages with the broader artistic practice of artist and illustrator Jason Polan, famous for his ink sketches of the city's people and places, as collected in the cult favorite tome Every Person in New York. The Post Office collects a body of materials Polan exchanged through the mail with friends, fans and penpals, as well as the artwork that he in turn received, often whimsical drawings and short text works. In gathering the material, the project reflects on Polan's affinity for the US Postal Service and his commitment to mail art as a means to build networks and make connections—a practice he maintained over many years with both friends and strangers alike. The result is a new perspective on Polan's legacy, highlighted through an exchange that is playful and often touching, the contours of which offer an expanded portrait of the artist.
Jason Polan (1982–2020) was a Michigan-born, New York City–based artist and illustrator known for his humorous and prolific output, sketching strangers, art-world figures, celebrities, friends, objects and the things he spotted on his many museum visits. His illustrations have appeared in Metropolis Magazine, the New Yorker and ARTnews and his books have generated wide acclaim. His work also appeared in a regular column in the New York Times, and on apparel in a collaboration with Uniqlo. His books include Every Person in New York and Every Piece of Art in the Museum of Modern Art.
