Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Published July 03, 1996 Updated December 09, 2021

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

USAArt & DesignIan Roth
https://www.ianrothdesign.com/

'Unique' playing cards by Ian Roth

 

Ian Roth is a young New York based artist who designs unusual playing cards for the urban crowd. In this interesting new deck he has used "direct scan" techniques and various lighting sources, first developing self-portraits and later working with New York bohemians as his subjects. The numeral cards are constructed with hands showing the relevant number of fingers, with suit symbols added by hand, producing an interesting visual pun on the idea of a 'hand' of cards. This 'UNIQUE' deck, the first in a series, features up-and-coming Broadway actors, opera singers, writers, filmmakers and activists. Roth is busy on his next two decks, 'ROBOTICA' and 'EROTICA'.

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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