Jubilee 2012: Sixty Punk Singles (30th May – 24th June)

Share

0000

Share

0000

The Vinyl Factory and The Mott Collection have joined forces to present a timely new exhibition: Jubilee, 2012 – Sixty Punk Singles.

In 1977, The Queen – the actual representation of the British state – and The Sex Pistols – the raw voice of youthful rebellion – were engaged with each other in some tortured parasitical dance of opposites, the young versus the old: the nation fractured.

Now we view Punk as much a part of Britishness as chicken tikka masala. Its underlying rage is still vocal, its target not so much The Queen as social injustice. The monarchy an anachronism as much as pints of bitter and fish ‘n’ chips in a corporate KFC world.

The Sex Pistols 1977 Silver Jubilee tribute ‘God Save The Queen’ politicised punk by targeting the emblem of the establishment. Banned by the BBC and fired by two record companies, The Pistols controversially reached the top of the pop charts. The single’s sleeve, designed by Jaime Reid, defaced Cecil Beaton’s official jubilee portrait of The Queen by sticking a safety pin through her nose.

A flood of Punk 45’s released on newly emerging independent labels covered the walls of record shops. The immediate, stark, black and white artwork grabbed music fans’ attention. Surrounded by images of defiance, kids listened intently through headphones to the new singles – only after much deliberation would one would be selected. They cost 65 pence.

Now, 35 years later, we celebrate this symbiotic relationship: The Queen representing quintessential British values and Punk exemplifying Britain’s inventive spirit. We’ve come a long way, but Punk is as relevant today as it was back then.

To celebrate JUBILEE, 2012 The Vinyl Factory and The Mott Collection have collaborated to create a commemorative book. Limited to 100 copies worldwide, this 132-page catalogue documents Sixty Punk Singles from The Mott Collection, and includes an essay by Toby Mott and an exclusive 7” single. Each copy is hand signed and numbered by the artist. For more info, visit our shop.

Check out photos from the exhibition opening HERE.