A brief bio...
Poster signed by Donovan
Bob Masse is from Canada's west coast and has been producing concert posters since the 1960s.
While attending art school in Vancouver, British Columbia, he began his career doing posters for the folk acts that came through town, in exchange for free drinks, tickets, and the opportunity to meet the musicians.
As folk became folk-rock, and Vancouver was visited by such bands as the Grateful Dead, The Doors, the Jefferson Airplane and Steve Miller, Bob continued to produce memorable concert posters for these bands, and helped pioneer the emerging psychedelic art genre. He was greatly influenced by the art and music scenes in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he spent considerable time in the late 1960s. Masse befriended the Vancouver band, the Collectors, and when they travelled to Los Angeles to make a record, he followed, spending the final years of the 1960s living in the Laurel Canyon area, producing posters and album covers for various bands of the day. His work from this time is highly sought by collectors.
Bob's designs reflect his interest in the art nouveau movement and the work of Alphonse Mucha in particular. While he employs many of the techniques of that period, his brilliant colour palette, unique lettering style, and bold composition give his art a signature look.
As rock concert art began to enjoy a surge in popularity duing the 90s, Masse returned to the medium with renewed force, producing a steady stream of posters for the first time since the 1970s.
Bob continues to produce pieces for contemporary performers.
Handbill signed by
Tori AmosPoster signed by
Fiona ApplePhoto signed by
Tori Amos
Here are a few media mentions: | |
* | Interview in B.C. Travel Gems magazine |
* | Interview in Fine Art Magazine (page 32), Spring 2011 |
* | Interview in Play It Loud, September 2010 |
* | Article in The Vancouver Sun, July 2007 |
* | Article in What's it worth? magazine, 2006 |
* | Article in Globe & Mail, November 2003 |
* | Article on poster collecting in Pursuit Magazine, August 2001 |
* | Article in BC Report Magazine, August 2000 |
* | Article in MOJO Magazine, May 2000 |
* | Article in the Velvet Fog, February 2000 |
* | Article on poster art in Decor Magazine, Nov 1999 |
* | Article in the Vancouver Sun, 1997 |
* | A photo of Bob Masse with Alanis Morissette |
* | Article in the German magazine Musikexpress, showing some of Bob's work Page 1. Page 2. Page 3. |
* | Article from the Vancouver Province, 1993 |
* | Article from the Vancouver Province, 1991 |
HomeClick here to find how to contact Bob.