Sidewall, Shadows of the Paranormal

McFetridge’s works of graphic design usually employ a simple color palette and flattened perspective. This aesthetic continues in his wallpaper designs, most of which are printed in a single color. He began designing wallpaper in 2001 with “Shadows of the Paranormal” and “Lines Forest” among his early designs. In 2007 he founded Pottok Prints (pronounced poh-tee-ahk) with his wife and partner Sarah deVincentis to control the production and sale of his wallpapers and other items.

"Shadows of the Paranormal" illustrates the story of the search for the fabled Big Foot. Details have been simplified to the bare minimum, with all motifs rendered as silhouettes, while the creature’s features are reduced to a pair of eyes. In one scene an armed hunter can be seen tracking large footprints into a cave-like opening, which also happens to be the creature’s armpit. The softly rounded forms and close proximity of elements creates an inviting pattern while the clever use of positive and negative spaces adds a bit more humor and also allows the story to be told in a single color.

Sidewall, Shadows of the Paranormal; Designed by Geoff McFetridge (Canadian, b. 1971); screen printed on paper; L x W: 457.2 × 76.2 cm (15 ft. × 30 in.); Gift of Geoff McFetridge; 2017-25-3