Cleveland based poster artist Derek Hess has been a staple in the artistic underground for over 15 years. From concert posters to politically inspired imagery, Derek Hess has crossed genres successfully. Derek Hess has designed concert posters for bands including White Zombie, The Jesus Lizard, Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam. Hess has also done album covers for bands including the Reverend Horton Heat, Poison the Well, and Pantera. It is Hess’s ability to convey emotion from music as well as representing this emotion in context that makes his work so poignant.
The works of Derek Hess are easily distinguishable in the art community. While Hess does use acrylic and silk screening techniques for his poster art, his line work is unmistakable. Whether it is his politically charged fine art, or his more common rock and roll poster art, Derek Hess is an icon amongst music fans.
Derek Hess’s works have had a mass appeal among musicians and music fans alike. Many fans have begun Hess’s images as tattoos allowing his pieces to live on physically through body art. Additionally, Derek Hess has started his own clothing line by the name of Strhess. Strhess features designs of Hess’s on items including tshirts,sweatshirts, and hats. Hess also has launched 2 different music and art collaboration styled concert festivals; Hessfest and the Strhess Tour. Independent bands including Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and the All-American Rejects are just a few who wear Strhess clothing.
Derek Hess has been featured on Vh1, MTV, and various forms of print media including Juxtapose magazine. His work is permanently displayed within the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Hess’s work is also part of a permanent collection on display at the Louvre.
While Derek Hess was originally known for his music inspired workings including concert posters and album covers, he has also done political artwork. Political pieces done by Hess have allowed him to cross over from the pop genre to fine art. Hess collaborated with Kent Smith, a Democratic politician for the book “Please God Save Us.” Derek Hess provided illustration for “Please God Save Us.” The book tackles political topics including the Iraqi War, the Christian right and its influence on the media, evolution, and Hess’s first love rock and roll. Hess conveyed his disdain against right–wing political tactics using his art as a way to express himself.
Derek Hess has brought fine art and poster art fans together. His intensely emotionally images hold such a passion you would have to see to comprehend. He has influenced many a music fan, and has crossed many a genre. While he began in concert poster art, he has evolved to encompass many different elements.
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