On November 6 1975, the Sex Pistols made their live debut in the refectory of Saint Martin’s School Of Art in London’s Charing Cross Road before an audience of around 20 people.
2010s
Derek Boshier: Special LA screening of What Do Artists Do All Day? at Night Gallery
Lucky Los Angeles; later this week there is a special screening of Zara Hayes’ recent film about Derek Boshier, which was shown as part of the What Do Artists Do All Day? strand.
Continue reading Derek Boshier: Special LA screening of What Do Artists Do All Day? at Night Gallery
‘A lifetime in design taught Tommy Roberts to avoid fashionability’: My chapter on the importance of the late design entrepreneur in new book
“Anyone who has wondered how the Britain of utility furniture and wartime rationing managed to evolve into Cool Britannia will find this a remarkable book.”
Elizabeth Guffey, State University of New York at Purchase
My case study Tommy Roberts: From Kleptomania To Two Columbia Road forms a chapter in new book British Design: Tradition And Modernity After 1948, which is published by Bloomsbury Academic tomorrow (October 22).
My talk on 430 King’s Road at the ICA’s interiors symposium is online now
Earlier this year I participated in a symposium on interior design and pop culture at London’s Institute Of Contemporary Arts.
Continue reading My talk on 430 King’s Road at the ICA’s interiors symposium is online now
Exhibition of Sarah Lee’s superb shots from behind the scenes at the Baftas
Exposure: BAFTA Reportage is the title of an exhibition of Sarah Lee’s photography opening at Leica’s studio in London’s Mayfair tomorrow.
Continue reading Exhibition of Sarah Lee’s superb shots from behind the scenes at the Baftas
The man who fell to earth: Derek Boshier wows the crowds at sell-out book launch and private view
Last night’s book launch and private view for the Derek Boshier monograph and new exhibition at Flowers Gallery in Cork Street, central London, was a great success.
Installation of the exciting Derek Boshier exhibition Rethink/Re-entry at Flowers Central
The installation of Rethink/Re-entry, the exhibition at central London gallery Flowers showcasing important works by Derek Boshier from the 1970s as well as collages and films made in the last year, is all-but complete.
These shots were taken yesterday as co-curator Guy Brett and I worked with the Flowers team on sequencing and final selection for the show, which opens tomorrow (October 7).
When The Runaways guitarist Lita Ford raffled her McLaren/Westwood I Groaned With Pain t-shirt
I am indebted to IG pal and fan of this blog Kjell Magnusson for this 1977 magazine photo of The Runaways’ guitarist Lita Ford presenting her I Groaned With Pain t-shirt for a raffle in Swedish teen title Poster.
In the light of the revelations about the abusive nature of the group’s relationship with the late, unwholesome manager Kim Fowley, Ford’s choice of item for the Poster magazine raffle was less seamy than those made for vocalist Cherie Currie and bass-player Jackie Fox, whose knickers were donated (guitarist Joan Jett sensibly chose a bracelet and drummer Sandy West a miniature drumstick).
The I Groaned shirt is one of the series with zips designed by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood and sold through their outlet Sex at 430 King’s Road between 1974 and 1976. The shirt was favoured by female performers of the period, including Viv Albertine, Little Nell Campbell and Chrissie Hynde.
There are two variants of the design in the current exhibition Eyes For Blowing Up Bridges at Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery. One is a very early deliberately ripped example produced in mid-1974 when 430 King’s Road was between names (the decision had been taken to abandon the previous title Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die).
This is why it doesn’t have a label. McLaren had yet to design the distinctive “SEX Original’ woven blue-on-pink tag, which was manufactured under his instructions by a supplier in Portugal.
The other shirt is the same type as Ford’s and does have a label.
I wrote about the genesis and realisation of I Groaned With Pain here.
Eyes For Blowing Up Bridges: Joining The Dots From The Situationist International To Malcolm McLaren is at John Hansard Gallery until November 14. Find out more here.
‘Still engaged, making iPad films, collecting ideas and grappling with the world around him’: Derek Boshier in Sunday Times Culture section today
The publication of Derek Boshier: Rethink/Re-entry and the opening of the companion exhibition next week are marked by an interview with the artist in the the UK’s Sunday Times.
Pointing out that recognition for Boshier’s achievements is long overdue, writer Dan Cairns’ piece covers the 60s Pop years, Boshier’s work with The Clash and David Bowie and his continuing and energetic immersion in all aspects of art and multimedia.
“Nearing 80, Boshier is still engaged, making films on his iPad, collecting ideas, grappling with the world around him,” writes Cairns.
In conversation with Derek Boshier at Flowers Cork Street next week
Next Thursday (October 8) I will be in conversation with artist Derek Boshier at Flowers Gallery in Cork Street in London’s Mayfair.
This marks the publication of Rethink/Re-entry, the Boshier monograph I have edited, as well as the exhibition of the same name I am curating at Flowers with the writer/curator Guy Brett.
Continue reading In conversation with Derek Boshier at Flowers Cork Street next week