Harlow's 1966

Jerry W. McDaniel made this poster for Harlow’s using ink and paper. Look how he lays down the black with confident strokes, playing with the contrast to bring out the figures from the background. It feels immediate and raw. There’s something about the stark contrast between the black ink and white space that makes it pop, like a photograph. See how the pattern on the woman’s dress morphs into the background? It’s like the artist wants us to feel the rhythm of the discotheque, where everything blends together in a frenzy of light and sound. It reminds me of the dance scenes in Fellini’s movies. Everything is stylized and slightly absurd, yet totally captivating. Thinking about the art of the 1960’s, I see a dialogue with artists like Andy Warhol, but McDaniel brings his own distinct sensibility, pushing the boundaries of representation in his own way. It's a work that celebrates the power of art to invite us into a world of ambiguity.