A Brief Look: The Gig Posters of Todd Slater

It’s difficult to look at the gig posters of Austin based artist Todd Slater simply as advertisements for a night of rock and roll. The band name is there. The date and location, but Slater does more. He creates an artifact that shines brighter than the memory of guitar and song.

Slater’s knowledge of the screenprinting process leads to brilliant discoveries. Gold ink on matte black — perfect treasures printed in silver and gold. An incredibly intelligent craftsman, Slater brings a depth of craft and class to his prints that showcase his monumental skill.

Slater appropriates animals and the natural world as the stand ins for the musical bodies he aims to represent. These bears and birds become kings and queens, stately emblems of the strength and ever expansive beauty of music.