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'Van Morrison' psychedelic concert poster No.88-1

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).

Wilson’s technique exhibited an expressive approach to composition, and added layers of meaning and allusion that could sometimes be overlooked. For example, at first glance, this poster appears to depict schematic, vibrant flames in highly contrasting colours. At second glance, the names of the bands and details relating to the venue can be picked out, although it is difficult to decipher. But it is only through careful scrutiny that the face of a bearded man, with the Sanskrit symbol adorning his forehead, becomes visible.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • 'Van Morrison' psychedelic concert poster No.88-1 (assigned by artist)
  • Burning (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Colour offset lithograph
Brief description
'Burning' psychedelic concert poster No88-1 by Wes Wilson for Family Dog Productions, USA, 1967
Physical description
'Burning', psychedelic poster made up of green flame-like shapes on a red background. At the top of the poster, a Sanskrit inscription is visible, and below this the face of a bearded man can be deciphered. A purple 'T'-shape contains the names of the acts that the poster is promoting: 'Van Morrison, plus The Daily Flash and Hair, all at The Avalon', all in amorphous purple letters. Either side of this are the event details.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.7cm
  • Width: 36cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'VAN MORRISON / PLUS THE DAILY FLASH / AND HAIR / ALL AT THE / AVALON' (contained in a rough 'T'-shape, the names of the acts that the poster is promoting in amorphous purple letters)
  • 'LIGHTS BY/ / THE NORTH / AMERICAN / IBIS / ALCHEMICAL / COMPANY / SUTTER AT / VANNES / IN SAN / FRANCISCO / FRI : SAT : SUN / OCTOBER 20 21 22' (Venue information, either side of central motif, printed in highly-stylised, amorphous green letters, on red.)
  • ©FAMILY DOG PRODUCTIONS 639 GOUGH ST., San Francisco, Calif.94102
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
Subjects 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).

Wilson’s technique exhibited an expressive approach to composition, and added layers of meaning and allusion that could sometimes be overlooked. For example, at first glance, this poster appears to depict schematic, vibrant flames in highly contrasting colours. At second glance, the names of the bands and details relating to the venue can be picked out, although it is difficult to decipher. But it is only through careful scrutiny that the face of a bearded man, with the Sanskrit symbol adorning his forehead, becomes visible.
Bibliographic reference
Christoph Grunberg, ed. Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era London: Tate, 2005. 239 p. : ill. (some col.) ISBN: 1854375954.
Other numbers
  • LS.957 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
  • No. 88-1 - Poster number
Collection
Accession number
E.530-2004

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2005
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