Hannes Bok
Hannes Bok, born Wayne Woodard on July 2, 1914, in Duluth, Minnesota, was a self-taught artist and author known for his significant contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres during the mid-20th century. His artistic style drew inspiration from notable artists like Maxfield Parrish, and he adopted his pseudonym from the name of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Bok gained early recognition in the 1930s, with his notable career taking off after receiving a commission for the magazine Weird Tales in 1939, thanks in part to his friendship with author Ray Bradbury.
Throughout his career, Bok created around 150 magazine covers, often portraying aliens in a friendly manner, which was distinctive for the time. His work was featured in several smaller publishers, and while some of his illustrations were considered risqué, they reflected the evolving tastes of the genre. In addition to his artwork, Bok authored two science fiction novels, Sorcerer's Ship and The Blue Flamingo, the latter of which was later expanded and re-released. He was also involved in completing works of fellow author A. Merritt and was a member of The Futurians, an influential group of science fiction writers.
Bok's impact on the genre was recognized when he won a Hugo Award for Best Cover Artist in 1953. Later in life, he shifted focus toward astrology and mysticism, passing away on April 11, 1964, in New York City. His legacy continues through posthumous publications and the Bokanalia Foundation, established to honor his artistic contributions.
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Subject Terms
Hannes Bok
Fiction Writer
- Born: July 2, 1914
- Birthplace: Duluth, Minnesota
- Died: April 11, 1964
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
Hannes Bok, an artist and author, was born Wayne Woodard on July 2, 1914, in Duluth, Minnesota. Bok was a self-taught artist who was inspired by the works of Maxfield Parrish, with whom he maintained a correspondence. His professional pseudonym derives from the name of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach. His work first appeared in fan publications in the early 1930’s. Bok and a friend, Emil Petaja, lived in Los Angeles from 1937 to 1938, where they became acquainted with author Ray Bradbury. Bok’s friendship with Bradbury led to his first commission to provide the cover illustration for the magazine IWeird Tales in December, 1939. By then, Bok had left Los Angeles and was living in New York City.
Over the course of his career, Bok painted 150 covers for various detective, fantasy, and science fiction magazines and was noted for his ability to portray aliens in a nonthreatening manner. Some of his illustrations, while tame by modern standards, were considered risqué for their time and may have cost him commissions from the more conservative editors. Many of Bok’s most memorable covers were for the smaller, specialty publishers, such as Arkham House, Fantasy Press, and Shasta Books. In addition to his artwork, Bok wrote two science fiction novels, Sorcerer’s Ship in 1942 and The Blue Flamingo in 1948. The Blue Flamingo later was expanded and rereleased under the title Beyond the Golden Stair
Bok’s writing was inspired by the works of A. Merritt, a journalist-turned-author who created some of the earliest science fiction and fantasy novels between 1924 and 1948. Bok would go on to complete two of Merritt’s unfinished works, The Fox Woman and the Blue Pagoda in 1946 and The Black Wheel in 1947. Bok also published under the name “Dolbokgov,” in collaboration with artist Boris Dolgov, and was a member of The Futurians, an influential group of science-fiction writers, editors, and fans spanning the years 1937 to 1945. Though Bok won a Hugo Award for Best Cover Artist in 1953, he began to move away from fantasy and focus his attention on astrology and mysticism. He died on April 11, 1964, in New York City. After his death, Petaja published three portfolios of Bok’s artwork and established the Bokanalia Foundation to perpetuate his friend’s legacy.