The Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists was a collective of five artists working in the 1960s in the San Francisco area. These five artists, including Wes Wilson, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, and Rick Griffin, helped define the psychedelic poster movement of the time. They were most famous for their posters for concerts at the Fillmore Auditorium and Avalon Ballroom, but they also created other works of art including album covers, postcards, and advertisements.
Wes Wilson was the first San Francisco poster artist to use psychedelic imagery. His posters featured lettering and abstract designs that were influenced by Art Nouveau and the counterculture of the 1960s. Wilson’s posters were filled with color and movement, and he often used the natural curves of San Francisco’s hills and ocean for his designs.
Stanley Mouse was also an influential San Francisco poster artist. He was a self-taught illustrator who created the iconic skull and roses image for the Grateful Dead’s 1966 album Aoxomoxoa. Mouse also worked with Alton Kelley to create some of the most iconic images of the 1960s, including the skeleton and roses design for the Grateful Dead’s 1973 album Europe ’72.
Alton Kelley was another key figure in the psychedelic poster movement of the 1960s. He was a self-taught painter and illustrator who was known for his wild and vibrant artwork. Kelley created many famous posters for the Fillmore Auditorium and the Avalon Ballroom, as well as album covers and postcards. One of the most famous posters that he created was the Butterfly poster for the Grateful Dead’s 1971 album American Beauty.
Victor Moscoso was the only Spanish-born artist in the Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists. He was a Cuban-American illustrator and graphic designer who was known for his use of vibrant colors and op-art techniques. Moscoso’s posters often featured abstract designs and swirls of color. He was also known for his use of hand-lettering and his incorporation of wordplay into his designs.
The fifth and final member of the Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists was Rick Griffin. He was an American illustrator and cartoonist who was known for his distinctive posters and album covers. Griffin’s artwork was often inspired by his Christian faith, and he often used religious imagery in his posters. He was also known for being able to capture the energy and emotion of the music that he was promoting in his artwork.
The Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists were some of the most influential figures of the psychedelic poster movement of the 1960s. Their artwork helped shape the culture of the time, and their designs are now iconic symbols of the era. Their artwork continues to be collected and admired to this day.
Discovering The Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists
San Francisco has a rich history of poster art. The 1960s and 1970s saw a huge surge in poster art production, with the emergence of the so-called “Big Five” San Francisco poster artists. These five artists – Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson – defined the psychedelic art style that inspired an entire generation.
Rick Griffin is credited with bringing the psychedelic style to the San Francisco art scene. His iconic work includes the “Flying Eyeball” logo for the Grateful Dead and the poster for their famous 1967 Summer of Love show at the Fillmore Auditorium. Griffin had a unique, cartoonish style that featured bold colors and whimsical imagery.
Stanley Mouse is best known for his work with the Grateful Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company. His vibrant posters were a mix of cartoonish figures and bold lettering that became the standard for rock concert art in the 1960s and 70s. Mouse also designed the logo for the iconic Fillmore West venue.
Alton Kelley joined forces with Mouse in the mid-60s, creating posters for the Grateful Dead and the Airplane. His work was characterized by surrealistic imagery and intricate line detail. He was also responsible for designing the logo for the Human Be-In event in San Francisco.
Victor Moscoso is credited with creating the psychedelic poster style that later became popular in the San Francisco scene. His work featured abstract shapes, vibrant colors, and intricate detail. His poster for the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s production of The Dragon Lady was one of his most popular designs.
Wes Wilson is often referred to as the “father of psychedelic posters.” His posters featured bold colors, intricate details, and a unique lettering style. He was also responsible for designing the iconic Haight-Ashbury peace sign.
The work of the Big Five San Francisco poster artists is still revered today. Their vibrant posters have become iconic symbols of the 1960s and 70s and the San Francisco psychedelic art scene. Original posters from the Big Five are highly sought after and can fetch a hefty sum.
Exploring The Creative And Innovative Works Of The Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists
The Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists are some of the most influential and creative minds in the history of poster design. From the 1960s to the present day, these five artists have created visually stunning and innovative works that have become iconic in the world of graphic design. Each artist has their own unique style, ranging from minimalist to surreal, and they have all used the poster as a medium to communicate their creative vision.
The Big Five include: Jim Phillips, Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley and Victor Moscoso. Jim Phillips is considered one of the original San Francisco poster artists and was the first to experiment with screen-printing techniques. He was known for his use of vibrant colors and illustration-like lettering, as well as his iconic images of the Grateful Dead and other well-known bands. Rick Griffin was another influential poster artist. He was known for his bold and intricate images, often featuring cosmic, spiritual, and psychedelic themes. Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley also made a name for themselves with their eye-catching surreal poster designs. Victor Moscoso was the last of the Big Five and was known for his use of vibrant colors and abstract shapes.
The works of the Big Five have become iconic in the world of poster design. They are renowned for their creative and innovative designs, which have become collectors’ items around the world. Some of their most famous posters include the Grateful Dead’s Skull and Roses poster, Rick Griffin’s Motorpsycho Nightmare poster, and Victor Moscoso’s Psychedelic Circus poster. While many of their works are now out of print, they are still highly sought after by collectors and have become increasingly valuable over the years.
If you’re looking to explore the creative and innovative works of the Big Five San Francisco Poster Artists, you can find their works in a variety of places. Local galleries and art museums often feature their work, and there are some online stores where you can purchase prints of their posters. You can also find some of their original works at auctions and shows around the country. No matter how you choose to explore the works of the Big Five, you’re sure to be impressed by their unique and inspiring designs.
The Big Five were prominent poster artists in San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s. They were Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso, and Wes Wilson.
The Big Five gained recognition through their rock concert posters and psychedelic art that they created for San Francisco-based concerts and events.
The Big Five created rock concert posters, psychedelic art, and other unique works of art that embraced the San Francisco culture of the 1960s and 1970s.
The Big Five used a variety of techniques to create their artworks, including painting, airbrushing, and screen printing.
The Big Five created their works in San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Big Five’s artwork was extremely popular among the public in the San Francisco area.
Examples of the Big Five’s artwork can be found in various art galleries and museums, as well as online.
The Big Five designed posters for a variety of events, including rock concerts, music festivals, and other special events in the San Francisco area.
The Big Five had a significant influence on psychedelic art, as their artwork was a major component of the San Francisco scene in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Big Five’s artwork became more accessible through the internet, as more people began to become aware of the artworks and their creators.