John Cage 1993. Design by Alan Fletcher. © RA
Exhibition preview: The Father of British Graphic Design runs at PM Gallery until January 3 2009.
The career of Alan Fletcher, one of the most influential figures in British graphic design history, is celebrated in this poster exhibition at PM Gallery.
The show, which is on tour from The Design Museum, brings together 50 posters spanning the 50-year career of the man who defined modern British graphic design.
Alan Fletcher began his career as a maverick designer but, after studying in America, he moved into to the arena of graphic design.
By synthesising the graphic traditions of Europe and the US into a spirited, witty and very personal style, he evolved into a father-figure who worked with generations of graphic designers and came to excert an unparrelled influence on the design scene.
Down with Dogma, 1993. Design by Alan Fletcher. © RA
Fletcher co-founded Fletcher/Forbes/Gill in the 1960s and Pentagram in the 1970s. He created iconic brand identities for clients such as Pirelli and the V&A and transformed book design in his role as consultant art editor to Phaidon Press with his witty style.
The exhibition explores the ingenuity of Fletcher’s commercial work for high profile clients including Olivetti, ICI and Lloyds, alongside the personal projects in lettering, collage and illustration.
The posters on display also include innovative advertising designs for Lyon’s teashops and campaigns for Mercedes, Gitane cigarettes and London Transport.
PM Gallery is the extension to Pitzhanger Manor, the "dream house" designed by Sir John Soane.
Admission to the exhibition is free.
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