Coignard Poster Appraisal

James Coignard Art Expo San Francisco 1981 Exhibition Poster

This item is a framed vintage exhibition poster for 'James Coignard: Art Expo San Francisco, October 22-26, 1981'. The poster is contained within a simple, dark-colored frame, likely metal or wood with a matte finish, suggesting a contemporary or standard framing style from its era. The main visual element is a large, white, textured rectangle, possibly resembling a torn or distressed piece of paper or canvas, which serves as the background for the abstract artwork. Within this distressed background, there are abstract elements in varying shades of blue, black, and possibly gray. One prominent element appears to be a figure or abstract shape with a textured, almost speckled appearance in dark blue/black. Another distinct element is a solid blue, irregular shape with a white oval void in its center, reminiscent of an artist's palette or a primitive mask. Subtle text, possibly 'P A B D', is faintly visible in the background of the artwork, adding to its layered complexity. The overall condition appears good for its age, though the image resolution does not allow for close inspection of potential wear such as creases, tears, or fading to the print. There are no obvious signs of significant damage. The typography for 'James Coignard' and the event details is clean and sans-serif, typical of late 20th-century design. The bottom edge clearly states 'ALEX ROSENBERG GALLERY TRANSWORLD ART', indicating the exhibiting galleries. This poster is a classic example of event-specific art promotion from the early 1980s, combining minimalist design with abstract art to capture attention and inform. The visible craftsmanship is in the printing quality and the selection of the artwork for the promotional piece. The 'torn paper' effect and abstract elements suggest a modern or post-modern artistic style prevalent in the late 20th century.