A new exhibition co-curated with John Marchant celebrating the work of radical artist Jamie Reid. 'Eternal Ecstasy' contains archival work from John Marchant Gallery and the launch of a newly editioned screen print of Jamie Reid’s first artwork for the Sex Pistols made originally created at this renowned Aberdeen site
Jamie Reid was known as the Art Director of the Sex Pistols, creating the internationally impactful and instantly recognisable DIY aesthetic of punk. His art often stirred controversy from piercing the late Queen’s lip to giving Putin a mask and red lipstick.
He was a rebel, an anarchist, provocateur, a druid, and lover of nature whose motivations were deeply rooted in generosity and ethical considerations. Eternal Ecstasy explores Jamie’s broader arts practice, uncovering a narrative beyond the noise of Punk and into decades of political and esoteric work and introduces the artists connections to places which are less well known in the historical canon of radical politics.
The exhibition features a selection of drawings, paintings, posters, artists ephemera and publications including editions of ‘Suburban Press’ to his poster art from over the years. Over his lifetime Reid regularly supported groups and causes that challenge the status quo, including Pussy Riot and Extinction Rebellion. In addition to his social-political works Eternal Ecstasy features selected paintings on raw canvas from the last two decades, what Reid described as his ‘esoteric’ works. His painting practice was ongoing through his life, acting as a quiet compliment to the louder, graphic work – each supported the other. The paintings emerged without a plan, spontaneously and without subject matter.
During the exhibition a newly editioned screenprint of the original drawing ‘Guitar Sketch’ is launched, which marked the beginning of Jamie’s style associated with the Sex Pistols. To recreate Jamie’s DIY aesthetic, Print Technician James Vass applied the ink with varied pressure and speed, this method introduced visual texture, unpredictable layering and a deliberately inconsistent finish. Although this print was discussed with and sanctioned by the artist, production took place after his passing in August 2023. The edition has instead been signed by Sex Pistols founder and guitarist, Steve Jones. The print will be on display in the exhibition and available to purchase.
Eternal Ecstasy is co-curated with John Marchant of John Marchant Gallery. John Marchant is a gallerist, curator and art director currently living in Brighton, UK. Having worked for many years with internationally renowned artists such as Nan Goldin and Gary Hume, Marchant now represents celebrated and emerging contemporary artists as well as the Jamie Reid Archive.
About Jamie Reid Archive
John Marchant worked with Jamie Reid for over twenty-five years and holds the responsibility for keeping the artist’s archive safe, catalogued and available for institutions, galleries and researchers.
Work in the archive covers all periods of the artist’s output, from college work through Suburban Press original drawings and print, the notorious and visceral thrill of the Sex Pistols era, the post-punk How To Become Invisible project, work with bands from the Dead Kennedys to Afro Celt Sound System, protest work for the Anti Poll Tax Alliance to Pussy Riot, his ten year cycle of installation at the Strongroom Studios in London and through to his exploration of the celestial and spiritual Eight Fold Year.
About Jamie Reid
Jamie Macgregor Reid (1947–2023) was a British artist and anarchist known for creating the iconic, ransom-note-style graphics for the Sex Pistols. He grew up in Croydon, in South London. His father, a native of Inverness was the city editor of London’s Daily Sketch. Both parents were steeped in both socialism and spiritual esoterica.
Jamie Reid was part of generation living in Croydon, in the early developments of its urban sprawl and studied at Croydon Art School in the late 1960’s. A politically active figure from a young age, he was a founding member of the Situationist-inspired community newspaper, Suburban Press. His work, characterised by rebellious energy and political commentary also explored themes of Druidry, environmentalism and anti-war activism.