Bonnie MacLean (1939–2020)
American Poster Artist
“Poster art was how we spoke to each other before the internet—through images that captured the sound and spirit of a time.”
About Bonnie
Bonnie MacLean is often cited as one of the few women to break into the male-dominated world of psychedelic poster art. Her designs combined fantasy, symbolism, and painterly detail.
Her poster work helped define the visual aesthetic of San Francisco’s rock era, swirling typography, organic symmetry, and electric color that mirrored the music and mood of the late 1960s.
Today, her work is exhibited in major museums and continues to inspire designers exploring hand-drawn typography and expressive, immersive design.
A Quick Timeline
- Early 1960's: Moves to San Francisco and immerses herself in the emerging counterculture art community.
- 1967: Creates her first posters for Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium in SF
- 1970-2000: Continues painting fine art, focused on landscapes and figures
- 2020: Passes away, leaving behind a legacy that bridges fine art and music culture
To learn more about Bonnie and her work, check out this interview.