Another from my series of iconic Seventies & Eighties Punk Rock and New Wave record sleeves reimagined as standout Pop Art to show in an installation or hang in your space.
The Jam – The Modern World (1977)
600mm acrylic painting on MDF with pine former.
Despite reaching just number 36 on the UK Singles Chart, “The Modern World” is a cult classic that exemplifies The Jam’s ability to blend punk energy with mod sensibilities.
The Jam’s 1977 single “The Modern World” is a raw and energetic Paul Weller Modernist anthem that captures the spirit of new wave and the burgeoning punk scene. Released as the lead single from their second album of the same name, the track showcases Weller’s sharp songwriting and the band’s tight musicianship. The song’s defiant lyrics, including the memorable line “I don’t give two f***s about your review” (later sanitised for radio), perfectly encapsulate the rebellious attitude of youth culture in late 1970s Britain. As kids we turned our school ties back to front and wore their signature Mod ‘Jam Shoes’.
The single’s picture sleeve is a prime example of punk-inspired Pop Art design. Drawing inspiration from the Pop Art movement of the 1950s and 1960s, the sleeve features bold figures, collage elements, and imagery typical of the genre. This style, which embraced popular culture and mass media imagery, was perfectly suited to The Jam’s modern aesthetic and their critique of contemporary society.
The artwork for The Jam’s releases was typically created by Bill Smith, Polydor’s Art Director at the time. Smith was responsible for designing five of The Jam’s album covers and sixteen of their single sleeves, including the iconic spray-paint logo that became synonymous with the band. The sleeve image presented in a visually striking and provocative style consistent with the punk ethos of the time.
My large scale 600mm painted artwork emphasises the mass market printing techniques which show inaccurate origination where the face and yellow colours are printed – or was that the designer’s nod to Pop Art?
Stay tuned for my exhibition details scheduled for this Autumn and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into my creative process.
You can join me as we celebrate the collision of music, art, and culture in the most electrifying way possible.
Vive Le Punk Rock – Vive Le Pop Art!