Jason Polan: The Post Office

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.