Every week, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 42-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
From the lyrics: “The movie set used to be a lake until a dynamited paddle-wheeler splintered across it, paralyzing a stuntman.” This could be interpreted as: Recent unchecked antics from the new administration negatively impact many facets of society, some rather unexpectedly.
I love the way David’s drawing appears, at first glance, to be simple enough until realizing the power dynamic exhibited. The style and intention also feel like an invitation to aspiring political artists. Hey, you don’t need to spell everything out. Trust your audience to interpret a somewhat nuanced narrative.
I think it also shows what being an artist for 50 years looks like as he continues to pull from history and all aspects of culture to evolve his unique visual language. Heartening that his exceptional heights aren’t represented in realism, but in a rudimentary line drawing where the stakes are high and keenly articulated.
“Drive At” from The Eagle And The Poodle (Matador, 1996) (download):
