Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder's Artistic Album Influences | By Kerwin Blog

Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder’s Artistic Album Influences

Exploring the stylistic evolution of one of music’s biggest icons

Stevie Wonder is an iconic figure in the world of music, renowned for his incredible talent, soulful voice and exceptional song writing skills. Beyond his remarkable musical abilities, Wonder’s artistic image has played a significant role in shaping his career and captivating audiences worldwide.

Stevie Wonder’s artistic image and album covers have evolved throughout his career, reflecting his musical growth and socio-political influences. From his Motown days to the 1970s and beyond, his covers became more symbolic and introspective, capturing his messages and showcasing his fashion sense.

As a pop artist who paints music icons, in this blog post I will explore how Stevie Wonder’s artistic image has evolved over time, highlighting his most famous album cover designs and the impact they have had on his career. I have even painted Stevie Wonder – read on to discover which of his album covers inspired my choice of colours in this painting.

Early days: the emergence of a young Motown prodigy (1960s-1970s)

During the 1960s and 1970s, Stevie Wonder made a name for himself as a young prodigy in the Motown era, displaying his extraordinary musical prowess and unique style. His early album covers reflected his youthful energy and vibrant personality.

Stevie Wonder’s first album covers featured album artwork designs typical of their time. These were often text-heavy covers packed with information such as the artist’s name, the record label and even the full album track listing. They also often featured multiple, contrasting fonts and photo montages – very different Stevie Wonder’s later, more art-based album cover designs.

“The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie” (1962), “Tribute to Uncle Ray” (1962) and “Stevie at the Beach” (1964) are all good examples of this retro style of album cover design. These colourful album covers and the photos of a smiling Stevie Wonder that they featured invoked a sense of fun, reflecting the joyful and upbeat nature of his music.

Innervisions: an artistic triumph (1970s)

Early in the next decade, the albums “Talking Book” (1972) and “Innervisions” (1973) pushed the boundaries of both Stevie Wonder’s musical and artistic expression. Both album covers featured African roots-influenced artwork that evoked a sense of Stevie Wonder’s cultural heritage, including warm maroon and mustard yellow colour schemes respectively. The cover photo for “Talking Book” actually sees Stevie Wonder wearing Indian jewellery and a velvet kaftan and sitting in what looks like a desert-type landscape. These visual cues are a nod to the eclectic and global outlook of Stevie Wonder’s music.

The album cover for “Innervisions” showcases a visually captivating and thought-provoking artwork that has become an iconic representation of the album. Created by Efram Wolff, the cover depicts a vibrant yellow landscape resembling a desert with a beam of light piercing through the sky.

The painting captures a sense of surrealism and mystique, mirroring the depth and introspection found within the music of “Innervisions.” The yellow hue symbolises warmth, energy and enlightenment, while the beam of light represents a guiding force or spiritual awakening. This evocative artwork sets the tone for the album, inviting listeners to embark on a transformative musical journey that explores themes of social awareness, personal introspection and spiritual awakening.

The “Innervisions” album cover stands as a testament to the album’s profound and soul-stirring content, reflecting Stevie Wonder’s ability to create music that touches the core of the human experience.

Stevie Wonder’s journey during the 1970s: embracing popularity and visual diversity

As Stevie Wonder’s popularity further soared in the late 1970s, his album covers began to feature a diverse range of visual styles. Their designs reflected the increasingly innovative sound of Stevie Wonder’s music, as he experimented with new musical technologies and electronic instruments, such as the Clavinet.

“Songs in the Key of Life” (1976), his critically acclaimed double album, featured a majestic cover displaying Stevie Wonder in the centre of a vibrant, kaleidoscopic design in a powerful orange colour scheme. This design mirrored the album’s eclectic mix of genres and showcased Wonder’s ability to seamlessly blend various musical influences into a cohesive masterpiece.

Songs in the Key of Life album cover - Stevie Wonder
I love this album and its cover: Songs in the Key of Life features a vibrant and striking design

Embracing cultural expressions: Stevie Wonder’s dynamic transformation (1980s)

In the year 1980, Stevie Wonder unveiled his album “Hotter Than July,” which not only showcased his musical prowess but also marked a significant visual transformation in his artistic image. The album cover for “Hotter Than July” captured the essence of this evolution with its iconic portrayal of Stevie Wonder sporting braided hair, reflecting his connection to African cultural expressions and the changing zeitgeist of the era.

This bold hairstyle became a focal point of this Stevie Wonder era, highlighting Wonder’s embrace of his African heritage and his desire to celebrate black culture. It symbolised a broader cultural shift, as the 1980s saw a resurgence of African pride and black consciousness across various art forms.

Stevie Wonder’s decision to showcase himself with braided hair on the album cover of “Hotter Than July” was a deliberate choice to make a statement about identity and cultural representation. It challenged societal norms and stereotypes, reinforcing the importance of embracing one’s heritage and promoting diverse forms of self-expression.

The cover design served as a visual representation of Wonder’s musical journey, showcasing his willingness to push artistic boundaries and his commitment to creating music that resonates with people from all backgrounds.

Hotter Than July album cover - Stevie Wonder

Furthermore, the album itself encompassed a wide range of musical styles, incorporating elements of reggae, funk and pop. This eclectic fusion of genres mirrored the multicultural influences present on the album cover. Wonder’s exploration of different sounds and genres demonstrated his ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to his artistic vision.

In conclusion, Stevie Wonder’s album cover for “Hotter Than July” stands as a visual testament to his embrace of African cultural expressions and his commitment to promoting diversity, inclusivity and self-expression.

Original Musiquarium I: multicoloured inspiration for my By Kerwin Stevie Wonder painting (1980s)

The album cover for Stevie Wonder’s “Original Musiquarium I” (1982) features a vibrant and visually captivating design. This cover showcases a whimsical underwater scene with colourful, stylised fish swimming against a black background. It also looks to me like the fish are swimming across a sheet of written music, with the vertical dotted lines appearing like bars of music.

The dynamic and playful nature of the illustration reflects the eclectic and diverse range of songs included on the compilation album. The ‘aquarium’ theme of this album title perhaps reflects how this compilation album is full of many Stevie Wonder hit songs of different styles, all swimming within the album and waiting for the listener to dive in and listen.

The lively and energetic artwork captures the joy and vibrancy that have become synonymous with Stevie Wonder’s music. This album also emphasises the variety and depth of his musical contributions.

Moreover, “Original Musiquarium I” album cover inspired my own By Kerwin Stevie Wonder painting, which I painted in summer 2019 while living in Singapore. I loved the way the vibrant, multicoloured fish pop against the black background, so I included each of the different colours featured in the album cover artwork in my own painting. Each different colour was a layer of acrylic paint that I threw across the painting during the Jackson Pollock ‘action painting’ stage of this painting.

The “Original Musiquarium I” album cover stands as a creative and eye-catching representation of Wonder’s iconic hits and serves as a visual invitation for listeners to ‘dive’ into the immersive world of his timeless music.

View my Stevie Wonder painting and purchase your print of this one in my online shop!

Late ‘80s Stevie Wonder: Characters

The album cover for Stevie Wonder’s “Characters” (1987) presents a visually intriguing and symbolic representation of the album’s themes. The cover showcases Stevie Wonder against a vibrant red backdrop, holding a white mask next to his face. This striking juxtaposition of colours and imagery immediately captures the viewer’s attention.

The use of the mask serves as a powerful metaphor, suggesting the multiple facets and personas we all possess. It speaks to the idea that individuals may wear masks to conceal their true selves or adopt different roles in various aspects of life. By featuring himself holding the mask, Stevie Wonder invites listeners to explore the complex nature of human character and the roles we play in society.

The red background adds intensity to the visual composition, evoking a sense of passion and emotion. Overall, the “Characters” album cover encapsulates Stevie Wonder’s exploration of human nature and showcases his ability to use visual elements to convey profound concepts and provoke thoughtful reflection.

A symbol of empowerment: Stevie Wonder’s iconic image (1990s-2000s)

During the 1990s and 2000s, Stevie Wonder’s artistic image continued to take on a more introspective and symbolic tone, reflecting his personal growth and the socio-political climate of the time. The decade, however, produced just a couple of  rather unremarkable albums in “Jungle Fever” (1991) and “A Time to Love” (2005).

Legacy and continued influence (present day)

Stevie Wonder’s artistic image continues to inspire artists across generations. His album covers have become iconic symbols of his musical brilliance and creative vision. From his early days as a young Motown prodigy to his influential albums of the 1970s and his introspective imagery of the 1980s and beyond, Stevie Wonder’s artistry remains timeless.

Even in the present day, Stevie Wonder’s impact on the music industry endures, as his legacy serves as a testament to his enduring creativity and artistic genius.

Did you know: I have my own range of By Kerwin clothing, including Stevie Wonder t-shirts and sweatshirts? Explore my pop art-inspired clothing in my online shop. I’ve also worn my Stevie Wonder clothing across the world – do you recognise these iconic locations below?

Conclusion

Stevie Wonder’s artistic image has evolved over time, mirroring his growth as a musician and the changing landscape of the music industry. From his early album covers that showcased his youthful energy to the powerful and introspective imagery of his later works, Stevie Wonder has consistently pushed the boundaries of visual representation, complementing his ground breaking music. His album covers have become iconic, symbolising his musical brilliance and artistic vision.

As an artist, Stevie Wonder has not only created timeless music but has also crafted a distinct artistic image that resonates with audiences worldwide. His ability to intertwine visual innovation with musical experimentation is a testament to his genius. Stevie Wonder’s album covers capture the essence of his songs, reflecting his introspection, social consciousness and passion for unity.

Even in the present day, Stevie Wonder’s legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and artists across generations. His artistic image serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and evoke emotions. As we reflect on the evolution of Stevie Wonder’s artistic image, we recognise his immense contributions to the world of music and his lasting impact on popular culture.

Stevie Wonder painting By Kerwin - SOLD at The Other Art Fair, London in 2021
I sold my Stevie Wonder painting at The Other Art Fair in July 2021 – prints are still available

In conclusion, Stevie Wonder’s creative and artistic image as an artist is a testament to his unparalleled talent, visionary approach and unwavering dedication to his craft. Through his album covers, he has not only provided a visual representation of his music but has also crafted a powerful narrative that reflects the depth and breadth of his musical genius.

Stevie Wonder’s artistic journey serves as an inspiration for artists and fans alike, reminding us of the transformative power of music and its ability to touch hearts and minds across generations.

How many Stevie Wonder albums are there?

Stevie Wonder has released 23 studio albums, three soundtrack albums, 11 compilation albums, four live albums plus one box set and 91 singles.

What is your favourite Stevie Wonder record? View and shop prints of my Stevie Wonder pop art painting here

I’ve also written blog posts on other Motown icons. Read my post about Tamla Records’ colour scheme and how this inspired my Marvin Gaye, as well as my blog post about the artistic image and elegant style of Diana Ross. I also have a dedicated blog section about Music and Pop Art.

Explore my full range of music-themed, Jackson Pollock-inspired pop art paintings and canvas prints at www.bykerwin.com. Prints are priced from £35 – £75, with fast worldwide delivery.

You can also follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.

Kerwin Blackburn exhibiting his pop art, Jackson Pollock-inspired music paintings and prints at The Other Art Fair London, October 2021 | By Kerwin
Who is your favourite pop art music icon painting of mine? You can buy a print of them at www.bykerwin.com
Stevie Wonder pop art music painting prints | By Kerwin
Shop prints of my Stevie Wonder painting from £35 here
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