Jim Pollock, one of the most quirky, influential and highly collectible rock poster artists of the past century has created a new strain of artwork to be showcased at Galerie F beginning Friday, September 23, with the exhibition opening and artist reception taking place from 6-10 p.m. The exhibition will run from September 23 – October 23.
In June, Galerie F hosted a tremendously successful 30 Year Retrospective event that spanned Pollock’s long and illustrious career. The artist’s rock star status was confirmed by the line that formed around the block where the gallery is located the night before the two-day retrospective opened. The artworks featured in this section of the newsletter are those works that we still have available in the gallery from the 30 Year Retrospective.
Jim Pollock’s unique linoleum printmaking style uses largely 19th century techniques to portray whimsical (if not downright trippy) themes and his work has formed the cornerstone of the band Phish’s iconic style. From his illustraion of the band’s first album Junta to countless t-shirts, tickets, prints and concert posters, Pollock’s designs are instantly recognizable among Phish fans. Pollock’s posters, featured in The Art of Rock, have also been the choice of jam bands such as Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Primus and music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, 10,000 Lakes and more.
HIGH PHI will highlight a new direction in Pollock’s career by focusing on the artist’s interest in social and environmental issues. The exhibition will feature new prints and sculptural objects that integrate math and marijuana by focusing on the intellectual beauty of the plant. Like the universe in a thumbnail, these posters are a design feat that promise the more you look, the more you see. In addition to the artwork’s complex relationship to the ever captivating concept of the golden mean, Pollock has another message: “I wanted to create art that pushes into the forefront something that should have been legalized years ago.”
In addition to this new work, a very small selection of Phish artwork will be available that has been living on Pollock’s Ravenswood studio walls for decades.