We Are Us: Drawings of Lee Conklin

Though best known for his concert posters, Lee Conklin (b. 1941) is first and foremost a draftsman. We Are Us casts new light on Conklin’s rich career and showcases his varied styles over fifty years. His unique and masterful use of line connects the meticulous rendering of the 1960s and 1970s drawings to the loose strokes of his twenty-first century output.  

A playful visionary, Conklin fashions worlds of exploration for the viewer’s pleasure. His pen brings to life surreal landscapes, forests of faces, curious creatures, and fantastic forms. These drawings are whimsical, profound, and generous. They invite the viewer to play, uncover stories and explore adventures in imagination. 

Curated by Dr. Scott Montgomery

Lee Conklin, BG 134, 1968, ink drawing on paper.
Lee Conklin, A Wad of Angels, begun 1979, color print.
Lee Conklin, Bird Teacher, 1968, ink drawing on paper.
Lee Conklin, Face – Unfinished, c. 2000s, ink drawing on paper.
Lee Conklin, Landscape with Faces and Glowing Sky, 2020, ink and watercolor on paper.
Lee Conklin, Heart and Horns, 1989, scratch drawing.