Milwaukee's Real Tinsel Gallery is hosting "Gig's Up: 50 Years of Punk Poster Art," a show collecting five decades of punk poster art from the local music scene. Curated by Dave Luhrssen, Clancy Carroll, Paul Host, and Tim Noble, the exhibition draws from Carroll's personal collection and contributions from other collectors and artists, featuring works by Eric Von Munz and others. The show includes a hardcover catalog and runs through December, with panel discussions and performances tied to it.
This exhibition matters because it elevates a traditionally disposable art form—punk posters—into a historical archive, preserving Milwaukee's underground music and visual culture. By showcasing local artists and DIY aesthetics, it highlights the role of grassroots art in documenting community history and inspires ongoing dialogue about the intersection of music, art, and local identity.