The Graphic Art of the Underground : A Countercultural History

The Graphic Art of the Underground: A Countercultural History takes the reader on a dazzling journey through the visual art and design of alternative and youth cultures from the 1950s to the present day.

Ian Lowey and Suzy Prince's compelling account draws upon the work of an array of artistic figures – many of whose lives have proved as colourful as their work – such as Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth, Kenny 'Von Dutch' Howard, Robert Williams, Robert Crumb, Martin Sharp, Jamie Reid, Linder Sterling, Gee Vaucher, Winston Smith, Barney Bubbles, Mark Ryden, Shag, Camille Rose Garcia, Marion Peck and Pete Fowler among numerous others.

"The story of the alternative cultures that have blossomed over the past 60 years or more can be told through their oppositional, provocative art, which is why . . . The Graphic Art of the Underground is so compelling, teasing out links between different movements through interviews with some of the key figures" —Choice Magazine

"The Graphic Art of the Underground: A Countercultural History will be a welcome addition to the library of the reader’s university, as well as the coffee table of her/his lounge." —Georges-Claude Guilbert, Université François Rabelais – Tours, Cercles

"A brilliant survey of a breed of artists who never seemed to “get” the accepted purpose of contemporary art, which was to hang limply in the background of our unquestioning existence, patiently awaiting anointment into history at the auction house, but who opted instead to willfully instigate a visually stunning, culturally engaged artistic revolution." —Ron English, artist, USA

"The editors have tunnelled deep into counter culture’s underground warren to reveal a hidden world decorated with drug-induced graphic visions, rebellious poster art, anti -comics, code comix, and freak show fine art – and unlock a box full of very dangerous looking toys. Their passionately compiled illustrated history of underground art, in all of its many beautifully warped guises, will further thrill those who are already enraptured by its uncanny charms, and amaze those who were previously unaware of its existence." —Savage Pencil, artist, UK

"An all-encompassing manual for the art of graphic subcultures ... insightful and darkly humorous." —Now Then
"A fabulous book." —Total Tattoo

"A lesson in seditious and subversive visual art and design." —Design Week

"Academics and art historians might despair to the legitimacy of underground and alternative art, and probably with good reason. Lowbrow art is hardly one of the greater known revolutionary art trends like the Pre-Raphaelites, Symbolists, Impressionists, Expressionists, Blue Writers or Dadaists. However, the seeds have been sown and there is a good chance that in the future these fertile grains could be dragon’s teeth. This book explores this explosive phenomenon." —Robert Williams, artist and founder of Juxtapoz magazine, USA