Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols
Artwork
1977 (made)
1977 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This is the original artwork for the album Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols. It was designed by Jamie Reid (1947-2023) and, although seen here in its artwork black and white, the fluorescent colours it was printed in and the title were chosen in order to be noticed and to offend. Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010), manager of the Sex Pistols, has said that, to this end, Reid's "style subverted the spectacle and commodification of every day life by being bolder and more shocking". In November 1977, the Nottingham Virgin record shop was taken to court for displaying the album in its window, because of its 'obscene' name. They were found not guilty when the defending counsel produced expert witnesses who were able to prove that the word 'Bollocks' was an Old English term used to refer to a priest.
Jamie Reid's cut-and-paste aesthetic grew from his interest in radical politics. His artistic style developed while at art college in Croydon, where he was influenced by the ideas of the avant-garde political group, the Situationist International. The political slant to his art was aroused by the May 1968 Paris student riots, which inspired fraternal protests organised by Reid at the Croydon College of Art. These were directed with fellow student Malcolm McLaren, later to become the manager of the Sex Pistols.
Jamie Reid's cut-and-paste aesthetic grew from his interest in radical politics. His artistic style developed while at art college in Croydon, where he was influenced by the ideas of the avant-garde political group, the Situationist International. The political slant to his art was aroused by the May 1968 Paris student riots, which inspired fraternal protests organised by Reid at the Croydon College of Art. These were directed with fellow student Malcolm McLaren, later to become the manager of the Sex Pistols.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Titles |
|
Materials and techniques | Paper collage on cardboard |
Brief description | Artwork by Jamie Reid for sleeve (front cover) of the Sex Pistols album Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols. Cut paper on card |
Physical description | Black typeset print attached to white artboard |
Dimensions |
|
Production type | Unique |
Marks and inscriptions | NEVER MIND / THE BOLLOCKS / HERE'S THE / SeX PiSTOLS |
Production | Attribution note: Original artwork for Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistolsalbum |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This is the original artwork for the album Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols. It was designed by Jamie Reid (1947-2023) and, although seen here in its artwork black and white, the fluorescent colours it was printed in and the title were chosen in order to be noticed and to offend. Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010), manager of the Sex Pistols, has said that, to this end, Reid's "style subverted the spectacle and commodification of every day life by being bolder and more shocking". In November 1977, the Nottingham Virgin record shop was taken to court for displaying the album in its window, because of its 'obscene' name. They were found not guilty when the defending counsel produced expert witnesses who were able to prove that the word 'Bollocks' was an Old English term used to refer to a priest. Jamie Reid's cut-and-paste aesthetic grew from his interest in radical politics. His artistic style developed while at art college in Croydon, where he was influenced by the ideas of the avant-garde political group, the Situationist International. The political slant to his art was aroused by the May 1968 Paris student riots, which inspired fraternal protests organised by Reid at the Croydon College of Art. These were directed with fellow student Malcolm McLaren, later to become the manager of the Sex Pistols. |
Associated object | E.1829-1992 (Object) |
Bibliographic reference | Seiler, Burkhardt "The Album Cover Art of Punk!" Collins & Brown Ltd. London 1998
|
Collection | |
Accession number | S.863-1990 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 6, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON