The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister

This fall, the School of Visual Arts (SVA) will honor acclaimed designer Stefan Sagmeister with its 33rd Masters Series Award and Exhibition. This career retrospective, featuring highlights from Sagmeister’s exhibitions, books, design, and film work, will be on display from August 29 to October 12, 2024, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. An artist talk with Sagmeister will be held on September 18 at 7:00pm at the SVA Theatre.

Sagmeister, who has worked with clients ranging from the Rolling Stones to the Guggenheim Museum, expressed his gratitude: “It is a true pleasure to receive this award and see decades of my work exhibited at my favorite art school in New York City. Bringing together all the facets of my career for people to enjoy and interact with at SVA, where I had the privilege of teaching, is especially meaningful.”

Born in Austria, Sagmeister holds an MFA from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and a master’s from Pratt Institute in New York as a Fulbright Scholar. His wide-ranging design work includes book jackets, album covers, brand identities, and even furniture and public space beautification. He also directed the documentary The Happy Film and authored several books, including Now is Better (Phaidon, 2023). Sagmeister has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards and the National Design Award from Cooper-Hewitt.

The Masters Series: Stefan Sagmeister will feature over three decades of Sagmeister’s work, including sketchbooks, posters, interactive installations, and a miniature theatre showcasing his film. Visitors can also take home special posters from the exhibition.

Established in 1988 by SVA founder Silas H. Rhodes, the Masters Series honors groundbreaking visual communicators. Previous laureates include Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, and Paula Scher. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with Monday visits by appointment. Note special hours for Labor Day Weekend. The gallery is wheelchair accessible.

Pictures: 1. Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh, Beauty, monograph, Phaidon Press (2018, 1st ed.), 280 pages, 6 ¾ x 9 ½ x 1 inches, 2. Stefan Sagmeister, Abstract 2010/2011 (book design), yearbook, Columbia GSAPP (2012, ltd ed.), 752 pages, 10 ¾ x 7 ½ inches, 3. Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA New Orleans, 1997, lithograph, 26 ½ x 37 ½ inches, 4. Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA Detroit, 1999, lithograph, 39 x 27 ½ inches, 5. Stefan Sagmeister, “Babies”, Historic canvas with contemporary inserts, 13 3/8 x 16 1/2”, 6. Stefan Sagmeister, Feelings by David Byrne (album booklet), 1997, print, 4 ¾ x 9 ½ inches,  7. Stefan Sagmeister, Chaumont, 2004, lithograph, 69 x 46 ¾ inches, 8. Stefan Sagmeister, Things I Have Learned So Far In My Life, monograph, Abrams (2008, 1st ed.), 256 pages, 9 ¾ x 7 x 1 inches, 9. Stefan Sagmeister, Darwin Chair, 2010, laminated Tyvek, stainless steel, epoxy, 38 x 19 ¾ x 36 ¼ inches, 10. Stefan Sagmeister, Lou Reed, 1996, print, 26 ¾ x 38 ¾ inches, 11. Stefan Sagmeister, Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones (album booklet), print, 4 ¾ x 4 ¾ inches , 12. Sagmeister & Walsh, Take It On, 2013, print, 46 x 30 inches