We had to check out the Graphics of Punk exhibition at the Museum of Brands an exhibition that focuses on the graphics that helped to shape, identify and distinguish the Punk movement in the 1970s.
Whilst other museums and exhibitions this year reflect all aspects of punks, it’s good to be able to see an exhibition which just concentrates on the print aspect of Punk in an age where defined by analogue. The graphics contain materials which were symbolic of the punk era: record sleeves, posters, alternative magazines, campaigns, and product packaging from the 1970s.
The exhibition’s curator Robert Opie notes:
“It was all about pushing boundaries… The focus of the exhibition is on the Sex Pistols era, because I think they had the most influence.”
The Graphics of Punk exhibition is part of Punk London, itself, a year-long sequence of exhibitions, talks and events to mark the 40th anniversary of the punk movement.
There’s loads to look at here and it defines the whole early period of Punk with the obvious inclusion of the works of Jamie Reid and the spread of zines that were cut and paste before “cut and paste “existed. We take this stuff for granted and never really credit how quickly the changes came about in graphic design. Comparing graphics pre and post punk is never going to tax your mind- before and after are just carved in two by a wedge of colour, rips and tears and hand prints . There’s more to it than that of course so get yourself down there and it runs to the end of January, by which time we will be celebrating 40 years of Punk- 1977-2017 version that is.
The Graphics of Punk exhibition runs:
4 October 2016 – 29 January 2017
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising,
111-117 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QT.
Tickets – £9, or £7 concessions
(includes access to the museum’s full permanent exhibition)
Our ongoing series of reports on emerging and established artists with close-up Q&As, gallery reports and exhibition reviews, with a special emphasis on supporting diversity in art, women in art and the independent art scene.
Brought to you by Underground – the brand of the Original Allgender Creeper shoe and other British subculture styles.
