Edward Meshekoff Explained

Edward Meshekoff (1917 in Bronx, New York City – 2010) was an American artist, illustrator and designer.[1]

A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, Meshekoff worked and lived in both Los Angeles and New York City.[1]

In 1957, Meshekoff designed a pair of mosaic map murals depicting New York City's five boroughs. These murals were installed on the walls of a newly built Information Center located on a traffic island in the center of Times Square. In more recent years, the building has served as an NYPD police substation.[2] [3] [1] As of 2016, Meshekoff's mosaic maps were scheduled for restoration and relocation to a new, yet-to-be determined location.[4] [1]

His commissions included the design of a children's playroom aboard the,[1] [5] illustrations for a 1952 children's book, The Little Car That Wanted a Garage,[1] wall murals,[6] and decorative design elements such as a sculpted overdoor sailing ship.[7] Meshekoff also collaborated with Philip Johnson on larger projects, including the south building of Lincoln Center, (formerly known as The NY State Theater, home to the NYC Ballet) and The Kreeger Museum. Additionally, he was commissioned by other notable architects, including Alfred Easton Poor.

Notes and References

  1. News: Dunlap. David. Beloved Anachronisms, Times Square Mosaics of the City May Be Preserved. 10 March 2016. New York Times. 9 March 2016.
  2. News: Completion is Near for City's Information Center in Times Square. 11 March 2016. New York Times. 14 November 1957.
  3. News: Yakas. Ben. Times Square NYC Map Mosaic Mislabeled. https://web.archive.org/web/20171106020740/http://gothamist.com/2010/12/11/times_square_mosaic_completely_misl.php. dead. 6 November 2017. 11 March 2016. Gothamist. 11 December 2010.
  4. News: Southall. Ashley. Makeover Set for Police Building at Heart of a Sleeker Times Square. 11 March 2016. New York Times. 17 February 2016.
  5. News: Successful Symposium and Annual Meeting in NYC. 11 March 2016. SS United States Conservancy. 3 June 2009.
  6. News: Murals, Panel Beautify Now Ohrbach Store. Los Angeles Times. 12 December 1948. .
  7. News: Willmann. John. A Sailing Ship Over the Door Sets This House Apart. 10 March 2016. Washington Post. 1 July 1978.