'All it is is rock and roll and it's no big shakes. But at the same time I think commercial design is the highest art form.' Barney Bubbles, The Face 1981

The Wild World of Barney Bubbles celebrates the graphic design genius whose work linked the underground optimism of the 60s to the sardonic and manipulative art that accompanied the explosion of punk.

We are delighted to welcome the return of Paul Gorman who will be in conversation with writer/editor Helen Barrett. The evening will be soundtracked by the music associated with Barney Bubbles from Hawkwind to Billy Bragg, Devo to the Blockheads.

Barney Bubbles remains a powerful influence on contemporary artists four decades after his death, having encompassed designs for Sir Terence Conran and underground magazines Oz and Friends as well as remarkable record sleeves and posters for Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, Depeche Mode, Ian Dury, Hawkwind, The Damned and Nick Lowe. He also collaborated with artists and photographers, including Derek Boshier and Brian Griffin, and produced paintings, furniture, set designs and promo videos, not least the era-defining clip for The Specials' 80's hit, 'Ghost Town'.

This special event is to mark publication of the revised edition of Paul Gorman's definitive Barney Bubbles monograph containing hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs, working sketches, notebooks and original artwork. It includes a new essay by American designer Clarita Hinojosa and sixteen extra pages of rare ephemera painstakingly collected by the author over the years.

As Peter Saville writes in the foreword, 'The publication of this monograph is, in my view, missionary work; Barney Bubbles should be canonised'.

https://paulgormanis.com/