Psychedelic art came to prominence in the 1960s with the rise of the counterculture and the popularization of psychoactive drugs like LSD and psilocybin. The wild colors and amorphous forms commonly found in psychedelic art mimic the visual experiences one might have while under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. Important antecedents to the psychedelic aesthetic were Op Art, Art Nouveau, Surrealism, and Pop Art. Psychedelic art and design were often created for posters and album covers, including The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. Key designers from the period include Wes Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Rich Griffin, and Alton Kelley. Their designs are …
Psychedelic art came to prominence in the 1960s with the rise of the counterculture and the popularization of psychoactive drugs like LSD and psilocybin. The wild colors and amorphous forms commonly found in psychedelic art mimic the visual experiences one might have while under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. Important antecedents to the psychedelic aesthetic were Op Art, Art Nouveau, Surrealism, and Pop Art. Psychedelic art and design were often created for posters and album covers, including The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. Key designers from the period include Wes Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Rich Griffin, and Alton Kelley. Their designs are characterized by creative typography, bright colors, and kaleidoscopic or fractal-like forms. These artists hoped to expand their own minds and consciousness and that of their viewers.
The influence of the psychedelic aesthetic is visible in such works as the colorful “Flow” paintings of Gerhard Richter, the electric colored sculptures of Katharina Grosse, and the graphic paintings and sculpture of Takashi Murakami. In opposition to the anti-commercial aims of psychedelic art, its style was quickly co-opted by advertisers to sell all manner of consumer goods.
