Spandex, synths and stadium rock - in context
Back to the '80s with Art & Sol!
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Free entry to photo & art exhibition on Musical Museum Open Day 3 June
Runs: Saturday, 3 June to Monday 28 August 2023
At: Musical Museum 399 High St, Brentford, TW8 0DU
Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. Getting there.
Exhibition entry included with MM ticket 5-16 £5, Adults £12, Reduced £10
50% discount on entry to residents of the London Borough of Hounslow The Musical Museum at is a 5-star rated attraction - with a cafe with river views - that tells the story of how people have captured and listened to music over the last four centuries. From tiny music boxes to the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ, their collection includes an array of instruments and inventions, including synths!
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It's been a busy week for Getty rock photographer Sol N'Jie and I preparing to welcome you to The Musical Museum on Saturday, 3 June for our exhibition of iconic ‘80s rock and pop musicians - photographed live in concert and reinterpreted through digital portraiture.
I thought it might be fun to take you behind-the-scenes of our exhibition to show you how we've been preparing!
The Banner
Last week the banner went up outside the museum to let passers-by know it's coming up. Some, perhaps stuck in traffic around Kew Bridge's temporary roadworks, might literally have been able to watch the bushes grow around it!
But, fear not for your travels on the day, or during our exhibition, the Brentford Museum is easily accessible from Waterloo - a five minute walk from Kew Bridge Station. Or you can catch the Piccadilly line tube to South Ealing and the 65 bus to the museum, or the District line to Gunnersbury and take the 237 or 267 bus. Details on the museum website if you wish to come by car.
Exhibiting alongside items from the museum collection
One of the wonderful things about working with the Musical Museum has been exploring how Sol's photos, taken live in '80s concerts, and my digital interpretations, could be exhibited alongside items from the museum's collection.
As a result, visitors will be able to discover how people captured and listened to music during that decade. For those of us who remember it, it'll be a blast from the past!
The west London connection
And, in keeping with the location of the museum, the photos and inspired art capture the zeitgest of west London music scene and accompanying words - researched by Sol - explain the musicians' connections to the local area.
A sneak peak at some of Sol N'Jie's iconic rock photos in situ
Introduction - by Alistair Young, The Ealing Club
Alistair Young of The Ealing Club has written a fascinating introduction to the exhibition that explains why west London, by the end of the '70s, was a flourishing music industry hub, identifying, nurturing and promoting new artists. Read all about it here.
Exhibition brochure
We have created a brochure to enhance your enjoyment of the exhibition. You can read it in advance here, or pick up a copy at the exhibition. Happy reading!
Tina Turner RIP
Tina Turner RIP
Sol and I were hugely saddened to learn of the death of Rock and Soul Queen Tina Turner - who taught Mick Jagger how to dance. The exhibition will feature my digital portrait of her and Sol's photos of her live in concert.
And finally
We very much look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 3 June! If you're going another day, do get in touch to let me know. I may be scheduled to steward or, if in the area, will pop in.
Prepare to be transported!!
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My digital paintings and Sol's photos are all available for sale via our respective websites. My digital paintings are £80 each, album cover size framed and designed to evoke memories and build into a colourful collection of your favourite rock icons for your walls. I use all my training as an oil painter to create my digital paintings on ipad pro using the Procreate app. To see them individually come to life in 30 seconds, click here. To see them all come to live (11 mins) click here. |