RedHouse Originals Gallery, Harrogate
12th March – 10th April
RedHouse Originals on Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate have announced details of a dedicated solo exhibition by the “Godfather of Pop Art” Sir Peter Blake.
This special exhibition was opened by Sir Peter Blake himself on Friday 11th March 2011 and is the first part of an exciting programme of events culminating on Saturday 12th March where the artist will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music at Leeds University.
A leading pioneer in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s Blake continues to inspire and influence new generations of collectors and artists alike, with notable examples including Damien Hirst, Gavin Turk and Tracey Emin.
A celebrated painter and printmaker, the artist has also designed some of the most iconic and enduring album covers of all time for artists including The Beatles, The Who, Paul Weller, Ian Dury, Eric Clapton, Brian Wilson, Oasis, Band Aid, Live Aid and many more.
Collectors are invited to view and purchase works during the exhibition at RedHouse including some of the rarest and most sought after original and limited edition prints Blake has produced. Highlights include portraits of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and his seminal artwork for The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The exhibition will also feature the unveiling of Blake’s recent portrait of Ian Stewart; the legendary keyboardist and co-founder of The Rolling Stones. The artist has designed the artwork for Boogie for Stu; a tribute album to Stewart recorded by Stu’s protégé Ben Waters and featuring contributions from The Rolling Stones and Jools Holland.
“Ian Stewart. I’m still working for him. To me the Rolling Stones is his band. Without his knowledge and organisation … we’d be nowhere.” Keith Richards
The artwork will be available to view and pre-order as a limited edition silkscreen print with proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation’s Mending Broken Hearts campaign.
This month is also the 40th anniversary of The Who Live At Leeds. Sir Peter Blake’s Live At Leeds artwork will be on show in four locations – at RedHouse Originals Gallery; as permanently displayed in The Refectory lobby; in The School of Music collection – ‘The Sir Peter Blake Music Art Gallery’; and on the CCA Art Bus. There will then be a private award of an Honorary Doctorate in Music to Sir Peter Blake.