Liverpool gallery plays host to artwork from Britpop hero

AN exhibition by Britpop legend Jarvis Cocker titled 20 Golden Greats begins this weekend at a Liverpool gallery following his art success in Paris.

The frontman of the British group Pulp has put together the exhibition which embodies the DIY aspect of Punk’s creative ethos for the first time in the UK.

The exhibition, which is being held at The Gallery on Stanhope Street, is a collection of imaginary records designed and created by the man himself.

It is a mixed media exhibition, which will contain 24 paintings by Jarvis, as well as a video instillation showing footage from 70s TV programme Revolver. There will also be a range of pictures that him and the band collected from propaganda magazines whilst on tour over 20 years ago.

James Lawler, co-curator of the exhibition, said: “Jarvis went to art college before he was in Pulp, so he has always been interested in art. His vision for the exhibition came from a lot of people constantly asking if he was going to make another record, but that is not where he is at right now. He’s not Pulp anymore.

“Like so many others in the industry, people just remember you for what you were and still expect you to be doing the same thing twenty years on. So this is a way for Jarvis to say that he is making records, but in a different way. It is a twist on his creative process from recording music to creating art and it is simply another form of expression.”

Jarvis, who was awarded a number of gold records while in Pulp but gave them to his mother after realising that he had no idea what to do with them, created the records he drew for the exhibition imagining that he was at various labels.

“For one disk, I imagined I was at Philips, on another, that I was at Motown,” said Jarvis, “I imagined myself on all the labels that I love, that I track down as a collector, in record shops.”

Jarvis, the man behind 90s anthems including Common People and Disco 2000, added: “Titles are an important part of the music; in just a few words, they reflect an artist’s imagination. As a songwriter, someone who works with words, I enjoy the challenge of expressing something in barely three words.”

James Lawler, one half of DuoVision who work with artists from a professional music background, worked alongside fellow co-curator Martin Green for the exhibition.

He said: “Martin has known Jarvis for a long time and even went on tour with Pulp as their DJ. Martin knew that Jarvis’ exhibition in Paris was a success and he was eager to show his art in the UK.”

“It is always great to get new audience at the gallery. We will have Pulp fans viewing the exhibition but also listeners of his radio show as well as art fans. We are curious to see who comes, just like they will be interested to see what Jarvis can create art wise.”

20 Golden Greats, which is part of DuVision’s Spirit of 76 exhibition series, will be at The Gallery until the 25th September 2016.