Ferlinghetti for San Francisco

Art of a Poet: This exhibition explores the artistic practice of one of San Francisco’s most beloved and significant cultural figures: Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919–2021). A poet, activist, publisher, and cofounder of City Lights Bookstore, Ferlinghetti was also an avid painter, draftsman, and printmaker. His work across mediums — often figurative with nautical motifs — frequently combines image and text to delve into themes of isolation, violence, and human resilience. With artworks drawn entirely from our works on paper collection, this exhibition showcases Ferlinghetti’s dynamic work in printmaking, including etching, lithography, and letterpress.