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Otis Rush

Poster
1967 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wes Wilson described his graphic design aesthetic as "visual poetry set into poster formats." Wilson worked primarily in bold colours, to complement the psychedelic light shows which took place during performances at the Fillmore Auditorium and its rival the Avalon Ballroom. His eye-catching posters feature inventive lettering - which became increasingly stylised and illegible as his style evolved. Wilson began designing posters for Bill Graham's Fillmore venue from its opening in 1966, but soon designed exclusively for the Fillmore. The collaboration was relatively short-lived, ending acrimoniously in 1967 (with the exception of two additional posters he created in December 1968).

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Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOtis Rush (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Colour offset lithograph
Brief description
"Otis Rush" psychedelic poster #53 by Wes Wilson. USA, 1967.
Physical description
Poster for concert. Image of a man's face and a woman's face and hair. Colour of image is blue at the top moving through yellow, green, red and pink to the bottom. Text box in black and white.
Dimensions
  • Height: 57cm
  • Width: 31.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
Bill Graham Presents In San Francisco / Otis Rush / & his Chicago Blues Band / The Mothers / The Morning Glory / March 3, 4, 5 / Fri Sat 9pm $3.00 & Sun 2 7pm $2.00 / Fillmore / Auditorium. (Text of poster.)
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Production
Otis Rush psychedelic performance poster
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Wes Wilson described his graphic design aesthetic as "visual poetry set into poster formats." Wilson worked primarily in bold colours, to complement the psychedelic light shows which took place during performances at the Fillmore Auditorium and its rival the Avalon Ballroom. His eye-catching posters feature inventive lettering - which became increasingly stylised and illegible as his style evolved. Wilson began designing posters for Bill Graham's Fillmore venue from its opening in 1966, but soon designed exclusively for the Fillmore. The collaboration was relatively short-lived, ending acrimoniously in 1967 (with the exception of two additional posters he created in December 1968).
Bibliographic reference
Christoph Grunberg, ed. Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era London: Tate, 2005. 239 p. : ill. (some col.) ISBN: 1854375954.
Other number
LS.927 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.507-2004

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2005
Record URL
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