{"id":257856,"date":"2025-11-02T15:52:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/257856\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T15:52:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:52:19","slug":"sex-pistols-artwork-made-in-aberdeen-returns-for-new-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/257856\/","title":{"rendered":"Sex Pistols artwork made in Aberdeen returns for new exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first ever artwork for the Sex Pistols created in Aberdeen has returned to the city for a new exhibition.<\/p>\n

The sound and rebellious look of the band influenced a generation with their controversial album designs.<\/p>\n

Jamie Reid was the pioneering artist behind the iconic covers for releases such as God Save the Queen and Anarchy in the UK.<\/p>\n

His radical art for the famous group became one of the defining images of the punk movement in the 1970s and is instantly recognisable to this day.<\/p>\n

But lesser known is Aberdeen\u2019s role in the band\u2019s look.<\/p>\n

David McCracken is print curator at the Peacock Print Makers in Aberdeen.<\/p>\n

\"AnarchySTV NewsAnarchy in the U.K: Sex Pistols\u2019 debut single in 1976 STV News<\/p>\n

He explained: \u201cJamie would come from the Isle of Lewis after receiving a telegram from Malcolm McLaren, who he had been at art college with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMalcolm asked him to come back to London and make the artwork for his new band called the Sex Pistols. He came to Aberdeen, popped in here and made a print, rolled it up, then off to London.\u201d<\/p>\n

The print is very rare, with only one other thought to exist worldwide.<\/p>\n

There were various attempts at tracking down the blue flyer featuring the band\u2019s name and a guitarist\u2019s image, with no success.<\/p>\n

So Peacock, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, recreated the poster for its retrospective exhibition of Jimmie Reid\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

\"ArtistSTV NewsArtist Jamie Reid lived on the Isle of Lewis for a period in the mid-1970s STV News<\/p>\n

But quite remarkably, just days before the exhibition opened, the original piece made at the Aberdeen workshop resurfaced.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now centre stage in the new show, which features other material from the artist\u2019s career.<\/p>\n

\u201cA gentleman got in touch from Dundee. He\u2019d seen the media around the story, and he got in touch to say he had a poster.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d bought it from Jamie in 1986. It was delivered to the gallery only last week and was unveiled in what was a very emotional moment. The print came home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very lovely moment for everyone in the room. It was quite overwhelming that the original print resurfaced for the exhibition,\u201d added David.<\/p>\n

Peacock is proud to be part of its newly discovered punk rock history.<\/p>\n

\"PrintSTV NewsPrint curator David McCracken STV News<\/p>\n

The gallery hopes the exhibition gives people a broader sense of what Jamie was as an artist.<\/p>\n

\u201cCulturally, this is the most important print ever made at Peacocks ever made in Aberdeen, ever made in Scotland perhaps,\u201d said David.<\/p>\n

David says it\u2019s extraordinary that Reid\u2019s story has such a strong Aberdeen connection, and he says Jamie, who died in August 2023 aged 76, would have loved the exhibition.<\/p>\n

New versions of his print are selling out fast, helping the open-access workshop to continue to operate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s continuing to make money for this open access model that still runs today \u2013 the way that Jimmy Reid found in 1976 in the Castlegate in Aberdeen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Eternal Ecstasy exhibition runs until December 6.<\/p>\n

STV News is now on WhatsApp<\/p>\n

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