Designed by
Anderson, Gail, American, born 1962
Subject of
Wilson, August, American, 1945 - 2005
Bellamy, Lou, American, born 1944
Date
2008
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 22 × 14 in. (55.9 × 35.6 cm)
Caption
Gail Anderson is a New York based designer and partner at Anderson Newton Design. Since 1987, Anderson has worked in the field of design at design firms, advertising agencies, and publications. Her work has received awards from major design organizations, including the Society of Publication Designers and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). In 2008 she received a Lifetime Achievement Medal from the AIGA. Anderson currently works as Creative Director at the School of Visual Arts Press and is on the Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee for the US Post Office. In 2013, the US Postal Service commissioned Anderson to design the commemorative stamp for the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. Anderson was only the second African American designer tapped to design a commemorative stamp, the first being Georg Olden who designed the Proclamation’s 100th anniversary stamp in 1963.
Description
This is a poster for the play Gem of the Ocean, with graphics designed by Gail Anderson. The poster depicts a giant figure in profile submerged under water with only the back of its shoulder and head rising above the waves. The giant figure is stepping forward with one leg bent and its head thrust forward and down. It holds its right arm down and out in front of itself underwater and holds a small sailing ship on its palm. There are two much smaller human figures standing on the shoulder blade of the giant figure, just above the water line. The two tiny figures are holding hands. One of the figures appears to be wearing a knee-length skirt and hat. The other tiny figure is wearing trousers and a hat. All three figures are rendered as black silhouettes. The bottom two-thirds of the poster has a bright blue background with waves on the top surface. The top third of the poster is a soft yellow color. Across the top third is large black text that reads “GEM / OF / THE / OCEAN.” On the right side of the poster halfway up the right margin is medium sized white text that reads “ THE GUTHRIE / presents / THE PENUMBRA THEATRE / production of / AUGUST WILSON’S/ GEM OF THE OCEAN / directed by / LOU BELLAMY.” In the bottom left corner is white text and a logo. The logo consists of a stylized uppercase ’G’ in white ink and the text underneath it reads “GUTHRIE.” Next to this logo is white text that reads “April 22-May 22 18, 2008 / McGuire Proscenium Stage / 612.377.2224 guthrietheater.org.”
Place used
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Advertisements
Type
posters
Topic
Advertising
Art
Design
Drama (Theatre)
Graphic design
Mass media
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gail Anderson
Object number
2020.11.19
Restrictions & Rights
© SpotCo
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ab858081-7f8c-4671-bef3-52f87c8cdfb2

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page