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In this photomontage, the viewer is immediately staring down the barrel of a pistol wielded by a mobster, who is highlighted by a halo of soft sunlight piercing through the clouds. The hands gripping the steering wheel in the foreground, facing the viewer, create a visual puzzle our minds try to decipher. Singer plays with perception and perspective: are we the victim or are we watching the victim flee? Stylistically, Singer alludes to the cultural influence of Hollywood mobster movies in the mid-20th century, reinforced by Art Deco elements of the gangster era. The bold color choice of red, against the starkness of the black and white, creates a striking mood of imminent danger.Label Type
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David Singer was born and raised in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, surrounded by the Pennsylvania Dutch culture. He was exposed to very intricate folk art, and David Singer gravitated towards it. From an early age, Singer was very creative, and artistically gifted. After he graduated high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served until 1964, then settled in San Francisco. After working many odd jobs, Singer found himself meeting with Bill Graham, the founder and promoter of the iconic Fillmore West music venue, to review his portfolio. After twenty minutes of silently studying Singers’ work, Graham immediately commissioned Singer to create twelve new posters. This launched his career with full force—David Singer was commissioned the most work out of all of the iconic Fillmore West Rock poster artists, creating a total of sixty posters for Bill Graham between 1969-1971.