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Digital Proof

2007 (printed)
Artist/Maker

This is a digital proof from the original artwork for the Rolling Stones famous “Tongue” logo. An iconic symbol recognizable across the globe, it represents the Rolling Stones as anti-establishment, sticking their tongue out to the world, while giving them a corporate identity. This proof shows the full colour effect achieved by the printer during the production process of a print. The grey areas of the original artwork, as can be seen in S.6120-2009, are now replaced with red. It is painted on art-board, overlaid with a semi-opaque drawing cell carrying the detail and causing the background to appear grey. The red colour would be added during the production process, as can be seen in the digital print produced from this artwork in 2007, S.6121-2009.

Mick Jagger, singer with The Rolling Stones, had seen Pasche's designs at the 1970 Royal College of Art final degree show. After later meeting to discuss ideas, Jagger showed Pasche an image of the Hindu goddess Kali. Pasche, honing in on the goddess's protruding tongue, was inspired to create his famous logo (S.6120 & 6121-2009), which captured perfectly the impudence of the band, and the prominence and sensuality of Jagger's mouth.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Printed ink on paper
Brief description
Full-colour digital proof of Rolling Stones "The Tongue" Logo, produced from original artwork and signed by the artist, John Pasche.
Physical description
Digital proof print on paper. Red and black cartoon-style mouth with sticking out tongue. Signed by the artist.
Dimensions
  • Length: 39.8cm (approximate)
  • Width: 36cm (approximate)
Production typeArtist's proof
Marks and inscriptions
John Pasche
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a digital proof from the original artwork for the Rolling Stones famous “Tongue” logo. An iconic symbol recognizable across the globe, it represents the Rolling Stones as anti-establishment, sticking their tongue out to the world, while giving them a corporate identity. This proof shows the full colour effect achieved by the printer during the production process of a print. The grey areas of the original artwork, as can be seen in S.6120-2009, are now replaced with red. It is painted on art-board, overlaid with a semi-opaque drawing cell carrying the detail and causing the background to appear grey. The red colour would be added during the production process, as can be seen in the digital print produced from this artwork in 2007, S.6121-2009.

Mick Jagger, singer with The Rolling Stones, had seen Pasche's designs at the 1970 Royal College of Art final degree show. After later meeting to discuss ideas, Jagger showed Pasche an image of the Hindu goddess Kali. Pasche, honing in on the goddess's protruding tongue, was inspired to create his famous logo (S.6120 & 6121-2009), which captured perfectly the impudence of the band, and the prominence and sensuality of Jagger's mouth.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.6121-2009

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Record createdFebruary 11, 2009
Record URL
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