Alan Aldridge
Is known as a revolutionary artist having a great contribution to illustrations of ''swinging sixties''. The peak of his career lasts in 1960-1970. He worked on album covers and illustrated hardbacks for famous rock bands. Moreover, he worked with the publishing company Penguin, also by ''creating covers for the Sunday Times Magazine alongside the likes of Sir Peter Blake and David Hockney'' (Dawood, 2017).
He changed the look of Penguin's covers. Giving a character for science fiction novels written by J.G.Ballard and Theodore Sturgeon for instance. He gave a vibrant, fast colour alongside shapes that were stepping into a new era.
Alan Aldridge, The wind from nowhere,
His signature in psychedelic style was recognizable in the covers such as; The Who, John Elton. The art was unique, because of incorporated characters reminds cartoon-like features, alongside effectively shading he got success. This surrealistic style I want to transit for my pieces because this complexity can be converted into a narrative story easily.
A great statement was pointed by Dawood, she said that the illustrated Lyrics expanded the imaginary realm by showing the expressive, artistic power and freedom of the music.
Indeed, he made an illustration of a track, for instance ''A Hard Day's Night''. But in form of a single shoot. Like one scenery. I intend in my project to reflect each considerable part of the song. Therefore, it will be presented in form of a comic strip, as Bob Gibson did.
I would like to point out other Alan outcomes. He was a graphic designer, which determines to showcase other fields of art. He made body art, wall art (graffiti). However, he mixed a lot of motifs. Below, is a picture of the exhibition where we can clearly see the different influences. The painting with a woman (on the corner), the face reminds me of cubism, but the shadings and exposition are taken partly from surrealism and pop art. There is a lot of examples with Naive art as well. I do like the titles ''Revolution''. I think it will be my inspiration for the cover page.
By the final words; “Aldridge blew all of that out of the water. His approach inspired many and freed them from the shackles of clinical, humourless style.” (Dawood, 2017) Which, personally is joyful and engaging to look at.
References:
Dawood, S. (2017) Remembering Alan Aldridge: the graphic designer of the “swinging sixties.” [Online] Design Week. Available from : https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/20-26-february-2017/remembering-alan-aldridge-revolutionary-graphic-designer-swinging-sixties/ [Accessed 19/04/21].
Good, well directed research. Aldridge is another example, like Blake and Gilliam of a very specific time in illustration, almost instantly recognisable as this era.
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