**LONDON CALLING**
We are all getting very excited here at the IG gallery for the fast approaching London Calling exhibition that will pay tribute to one of the art/punk/rock&roll greats – Ray Lowry.
Originally conceived by art curator and founding member of the Ray Lowry Foundation, Julian Williams, The Right Hand Man: A Tribute Exhibition to Ray Lowry, saw a fantastic collection of Lowry’s photographs, sketches and paintings brought together and exhibited in Manchester’s See Art Gallery, marking the first anniversary of Ray’s death and coinciding with the 30th anniversary of The Clash album London Calling.
Although the photograph featured on the cover was in fact taken by Pennie Smith (supposedly not particularly taken with the image), it was Lowry who transformed the photograph into the infamous sleeve.
One year on and the exhibition has found its way down to the Idea Generation Gallery, and having undergone some evolutions in the process. Alongside the founding exhibition’s selection of original artworks by Ray, Ray Lowry: London Calling, will also feature works by a number of prominent UK artists. A collection of 30 London and UK-based artists will contribute new artwork, offering their individual reinterpretation of the classic sleeve, and in response to the personal influence that Ray, as well as the broader punk movement, had on each artist.
To name-drop a few, participating artists are all set to include Tracey Emin, Nick Hornby, Billy Childish, Harry Hill and Keith Allen. The finished artworks are now arriving at our doors and things are shaping up to be very exciting indeed. The news on Emin - allegedly one to cut things a little fine time-wise, and so whose piece we are yet to receive – is that she is well underway with her piece. After a chance meeting with Julian in the pub, this is the word from the horse’s mouth! In the meantime we must continue to wait and anticipate…
The Ray Lowry Foundation was founded in 2009 after Lowry’s sad death the previous year. As well as paying tribute Ray and ensuring that his contribution can continue to be appreciated, the Foundation aims to support young and gifted people to develop their skills in higher education, who would otherwise go without the opportunity to do so.
In addition to the artist originals, reproduction prints of various Lowry images will be on sale – to start from the very reasonable price of £70 – as well as a range of printed T-shirts and other merchandise. All proceeds are to go to The Ray Lowry Foundation.
Ray Lowry: London Calling runs from 18th June – 04th July
For more information see Idea Generation Gallery or follow us on facebook
We would, of course, advise you in the meantime to watch this space…
