Kustom Kulture: The Underground Graphic Movement from Von Dutch to Rat Fink
The article explores Kustom Kulture, an underground graphic movement originating in the late 1940s on the US West Coast, often overlooked in art history. It emerged from a confluence of factors: new materials like fiberglass from aerospace, films such as 'The Wild One' (1953) and 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955), rising postwar wealth, and a youth culture seeking its own aesthetic. Key figures include Kenny 'Von Dutch' Howard, who pioneered pinstriping and created the iconic Flying Eyeball logo, influencing later psychedelic graphics. Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth invented Rat Fink in 1963, a monstrous mouse parodying Mickey Mouse, merging mechanics, rebellion, and comics. George Barris designed the first Batmobile (1966). The movement emphasized car customization as personal expression and pioneered DIY screen-printed t-shirts. Its visual lexicon includes unapologetic female bodies, concentric spirals, and wings. The article argues Kustom Kulture's graphic legacy rivals more celebrated styles, with ongoing global followers customizing vehicles.
Key facts
- Kustom Kulture began in the late 1940s on the US West Coast.
- Kenny 'Von Dutch' Howard invented pinstriping and the Flying Eyeball logo.
- Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth created Rat Fink in 1963, a parody of Mickey Mouse.
- George Barris designed the first Batmobile in 1966.
- The movement used new materials like fiberglass from aerospace.
- Films 'The Wild One' (1953) and 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955) influenced the culture.
- Kustom Kulture pioneered DIY screen-printed t-shirts.
- Robert Williams, founder of Juxtapoz magazine, is a key heir to the tradition.
Entities
Artists
- Kenny 'Von Dutch' Howard
- Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth
- George Barris
- Dean Jeffries
- Bill Cushenberry
- Darryl Starbird
- Robert Williams
- Basil Wolverton
- Tom Wolfe
- Timothy Leary
- Marshall McLuhan
Institutions
- Artribune
- Juxtapoz
- Hollywood
Locations
- United States
- Los Angeles
- California