Jamie Reid

Description	Graphic Artist
Dates	1947-
Lived/Worked	London then Liverpool

Best known for...

Punk/anarchist style record covers for the Sex Pistols.

Why is he/she important?

Jamie Reid is a British artist and anarchist. His work, featuring letters cut from newspaper headlines in the style of a ransom note came close to defining the image of punk rock, particularly in the UK. His best known works include the Sex Pistols album 'Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols' (1977) and the single 'God Save the Queen' (1977). In 1997, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the British punk boom, Jamie Reid produced a series of screen prints. 'The Sex Pistols' was not the only band that Reid designed artwork for, he also produced work for a band called 'Afro Celt Sound System'. He was also responsible for designing a radical political magazine called 'Suburban Press' that he ran for five years. Jamie Reid's work has mostly been politically themed, and has had a huge influence both on the design world and also politics and political movements. More recently, he has worked on a project in The Strongroom Studio's in London, where Reid has designed the decor in twenty rooms to help top pop musicians to reach greater heights. The decor included the use of many different media's including, canvases, marble, etched bronze and slate, and it took 10 years to complete (1990-2000). The work encompasses Jamie Reid's 'Sound Magic' theories, and has created 'A Temple of Sound' for the new millennium.

Historical context

Jamie Reid has worked along side Malcolm McLaren who he studied with at college, but generally he works alone on projects. He developed his working style during the punk rock era, and this had a huge influence on his work both for political reasons and musically, and he designed artwork for many punk bands during that time.

How to see their work

Jamie Reid's work can be seen on his web site (www.jamiereid.uk.net) and Reid now exhibits his visuals in dance clubs and galleries on canvas, paper, CD-ROMs, CD sleeves and laser shows. His work has also been displayed in many galleries including the ICA in London, and he was responsible for designing the interior of The Strongroom studios in London.

Jamie Reid on the web

http://www.jamiereid.uk.net/home.html - Jamie Reid's own web site.