eyeball with various appendages--pair of wings, pair of reptilian legs of which one is holding a skull, and a rattlesnake-like tail--climbing through firey hole at center; black text with gold outlines on top and bottom; red background

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“The Flying Eyeball,” Jimi Hendrix Experience, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Albert King, February 1, 4, Fillmore Auditorium, February 2, 3, Winterland, 1968

Color lithographexpand_more

Gift of Paul Maurerexpand_more  2019.118.23

Not on Viewexpand_more

Taking its cue from American “old school” tattoo design; the nose art of World War II-era airplanes; and similar graphics pinstriped onto motorcycles and lowriders in the late 1950s, the “flying eyeball’ design typifies how Rick Griffin turned to popular artistic traditions for inspiration. Indeed, eyes became a recurring motif for Griffin, appearing in many of his graphic designs. Despite the eyeball’s ubiquity in Griffin’s psychedelic designs, the winged eyeball peering through a burning hole in the sky became an iconic design that was strongly associated with the rock band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and the group’s legendary front man, Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970).

Details
Title
“The Flying Eyeball,” Jimi Hendrix Experience, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Albert King, February 1, 4, Fillmore Auditorium, February 2, 3, Winterland
Artist Life
1944 - 1991
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2019.118.23
Provenance
Paul Maurer, Minneapolis; given to MIA, 2019.
Curator Approved

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eyeball with various appendages--pair of wings, pair of reptilian legs of which one is holding a skull, and a rattlesnake-like tail--climbing through firey hole at center; black text with gold outlines on top and bottom; red background

© Bill Graham Archives, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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