Wes Wilson was born in Sacramento, California in 1937. An American artist most notably known as one of the leading designers of psychedelic posters, he invented a style that is now associated with the peace movement, the psychedelic era and the 1960s. Alongside Alton Kelley, Stanley Mouse, Victor Moscoso, and Rick Griffin, Wilson was one of the “The Big Five” San Francisco poster artists of the time. His style was heavily and obviously influenced by Art Nouveau.
His first posters was a Vietnam War protest poster titled “Are We Next?” caught the attention of Chet Helms, an important music promoter during the Hippie era of the 1960s. Working for Chet Helms and Bill Graham, Wilson made many posters for many well known psychedelic bands and concerts, including posters for The Beatles final concert at Candlestick Park in 1966.
Although the psychedelic style isn’t my favourite, I really enjoy the colours and colour combinations he uses in most of his posters. His use of typography is very unique and interesting, which I also appreciate.
