Paul Gorman is…

‘Ultimate internationalist, cultural provocateur…’ Constable to publish my book Malcolm McLaren: The Biography

Mar 24th, 2015

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The Bookseller has announced that British imprint Constable is to publish my book Malcolm McLaren: The Biography.

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Five extraordinary pieces: Barney Bubbles furniture designs come to light

Mar 24th, 2015

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// 5 x Barney Bubbles designs, 1981/2. Photo above: Nina Sologubenko//

Last week I had an exciting encounter with the rare and adventurous furniture designs produced by the late graphics master Barney Bubbles in the early 80s.

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Derek Boshier: Inside The Mind Of A Pop Artist at Charing X Hospital

Mar 22nd, 2015
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//New York #1, 1979. Ink and wax on photographs, 37 x 26 cm//

A selection of works by Derek Boshier in the collection of the Imperial College Healthcare Charity go on display this week.

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That’ll Be The Day: How Ringo ended up in a Teddy Girl’s drape jacket from Let It Rock

Mar 18th, 2015
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//Starr on location in Let It Rock drape. Note bust darts.  From the front page of Disc & Music Echo, December 16, 1972. Photo: Uncredited//

In the autumn of 1972 the small King’s Road boutique Let It Rock, which had been open for less than a year, received a fillip when the owners Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood were asked to contribute costumes to the production of 50s Britrock movie That’ll Be The Day.

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Ben Kelly aka The Photo Kid outside Sex, 430 King’s Road, World’s End, 1975

Mar 14th, 2015
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//Ben Kelly underneath the Sex sign, 1975. Photo courtesy Ben Kelly//

I’m featuring this image of designer Ben Kelly in his persona of The Photo Kid in my presentation about the design history of 430 at the symposium Dead Or Alive: Popular Culture & The Interior, which takes place today at London’s ICA.

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Granny Takes A Trip + Mr Freedom boots: Were they originally owned by Elton?

Mar 12th, 2015

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//The four pairs of boots are classic examples of early 70s rock n roll style//

These rare and unusual boots are thought to have once belonged to Elton John; the current owner was told this when he acquired them.

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Back in Duke Street: Derek Boshier at Robert Fraser Gallery 1965 + Whitford Art Gallery 2015

Mar 5th, 2015
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//Detail from 1965 showcard: Derek Boshier and 1965 works. Photo: Annette Green//

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//Card for Boshier’s show at the Fraser Gallery, March 30 – May 1, 1965. Design: David Cripps. Courtesy: Pace London//

Thanks to Pace London for providing scans of the showcard for Derek Boshier’s spring 1965 exhibition at Robert Fraser Gallery in Mayfair’s Duke Street.

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