Original screenprint exhibition poster for ‘Racing Around the Room,’ a show of new paintings by Chicago-based artist Jay Ryan, held at Mystery City Gallery, 1963 Halsted, Chicago, from August 4 through September 7, 2006. The opening reception was Friday, August 4, 6–10 PM. Printed by The Bird Machine, Chicago, copyright 2006. The poster features Jay Ryan’s signature whimsical illustration style: a large, lumpy orange bear-like creature hunched over a yellow cruiser bicycle, rendered in bold screenprint colors of orange, yellow, and light blue-green against a cream background. The dynamic composition conveys speed through loose, gestural line work and motion trails. The hand-lettered title typography in alternating orange and yellow is characteristic of Ryan’s poster art aesthetic. This is a numbered limited edition print, hand-signed by the artist in pencil at the bottom right. The edition number visible is 162/250, indicating a run of 250 prints. Jay Ryan is a highly regarded figure in the art print and gig poster world, known for his work under The Bird Machine imprint. This poster bridges his exhibition art and his celebrated poster practice, making it a desirable crossover collectible for fans of both.
No visible folds, tears, or foxing apparent from photos. A small binder clip or fastener is visible at the top edge in the overview shot, suggesting it was displayed or stored hung, but no visible damage from this. Overall the poster appears clean and in excellent condition.
