Morgan Howell: 45 rpm
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
1 August - 31 August 2013
“The seven-inch single, as an entity, is an absolutely powerful, possibly otherworldly object.” Johnny Marr
A selection of Morgan Howell’s limited edition 3D oversize singles (framed dimensions 16x16 inches)
Morgan Howell: 45 rpm Do you remember your first time? No, not that. I’m talking about that trip to the local record store to buy your very first seven inch single. For many music fans, me included, consuming singles was a huge part of teenage life. There’s something magical about a great single. Smiths guitar maestro Johnny Marr (who went so far as having the ‘45rpm’ logo tattooed on his arm) had it right when he said: “The seven-inch single, as an entity, is an absolutely powerful, possibly otherworldly object.” Many of our clients are collectors of classic LP cover photography, often because they want a special link with a memory of something sonically important from their past. Equally, singles are worthy of celebration, and for many people, their cherished music memories come from classic singles rather than albums. With that in mind, I am delighted to introduce you to to the work of British artist Morgan Howell, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Art, whose work is the subject of our new exhibition.Morgan has found a way to celebrate that supreme icon of
contemporary pop culture, the seven inch single, in a visually arresting and totally innovative way. From 1 August to 31 August 2013 we are hosting the inaugural gallery exhibition of Morgan’s incredible supersize 3D paintings of classic vinyl singles. The exhibition, titled ’45 rpm’, will be held over both floors of our exhibition space in Piccadilly Arcade. Morgan creates original paintings of seven inch singles, but on a huge scale, and in three dimensions rather than two. Each one of his supersize painted singles measures 27 x 27 inches, approximately fifteen times the surface area of the original singles on which they are based. Morgan’s 3D artworks are a world away from regular paintings on flat canvas, as they are constructed in hand-painted, worn bags, crinkled and creased at the edges. Those dinks and dents are important, as he faithfully reproduces each idiosyncracy in the original single.
1 August to 31 August 2013 He explains: “Sometimes you find the owner’s name in written in pencil, and that’s part of the
when the BBC interviewed The Rolling Stones in London’s Dorchester Hotel in the run up to their
history and heritage of the piece.” In the centre of each hand-painted record bag sits a circular 27 inch disk of black vinyl, onto which Morgan hand-
concerts at the 02 in November 2012, three of his supersize Rolling Stones singles formed the backdrop. A matched pair of his paintings of The
paints all the original label details. Framed, they occupy a 32 x 32 inch square chunk of wall.
Beatles double A-Side “Hey Jude” and “Revolution” fetched £20,000 in an auction at Abbey Road studios.
As Mojo magazine eulogised: “It’s enough to provoke a Proustian rush even if you don’t own the original Vertigo 45 of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”. The 3D quality is uncanny, just like an
This is Morgan’s first one man show, and will feature 30 of his artworks, including The Beatles “She Loves You” (which he started to paint on
original single has been blown up with some science-fiction enlargement machine and plonked on your wall.”
the fiftieth anniversary of the single’s original release), Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run”, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks, amongst others.
Morgan’s original paintings are attracting a cult following among musicians and music industry
I hope that you enjoy this fabulous collection, and
moguls. His painting of David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie” sits proudly on the wall at Sony Music, and famous owners include Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Letts,
can find a way to bring vinyl back into your life, in a big way, with one of Morgan’s supersize original artworks or limited editions.
Jerry Dammers, and Al Murray. Examples of his work are a permanent feature of the Radio 2 Green Room alongside Elton John’s piano, and
Guy White, Gallery Director Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com Tel: 0207 493 1152
A supersize 3D painting by Morgan Howell of Chuck Berry’s 1964 classic, You Never Can Tell, framed and on the gallery wall. A 27 inch diameter vinyl disk with a handpainted label sits inside a 27 x 27 inch handpainted and distressed bag. A central chrome spindle ( echoing your record player ) holds it in place inside the white box frame, so that it floats inside the frame.
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
A selection of supersize 3D paintings by Morgan Howell framed and on the gallery wall, including Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone, painted for the exhibition.
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
Originals and limited editions available to purchase In the exhibition we showcase Morgan’s work in three different formats. All three are very different to traditional prints on paper, and for that reason we have taken time below to explain them in some detail. As a general rule (to which there are some exceptions), each piece is available in each format. The separate price list contains full details on pricing and delivery - please ask for this and we will send you current price info.
1. Original 3D painted supersize singles (27x27 inch single in 32x32 inch frame) The source for each of Morgan’s original 3D paintings is an actual pre-owned seven inch single. A canvas bag measuring 27 x 27 inches (approx 68cm x 68cm) is hand-painted and distressed to replicate the creases and kinks in the original bag. Morgan then fixes a large black vinyl disk with a 27 inch (68cm) diameter inside the bag, and the centre label detail is all handpainted by Morgan. The completed supersize single is then housed in a white box frame, ready for hanging (dimensions 32 x 32 inches / 81 x 81 cm). This has been designed so the the single, fixed in its bag, floats inside the frame, highlighting the 3D effect. Each original painting is signed by Morgan on the front, and supplied with a certificate of authenticity attached to the reverse of the frame. If you have a particular single that has a special resonance for you, and which Morgan has not already produced, then you can commission an original 3D painting of it. Get in touch if this appeals and we will explain the process for commissioning an original. Please note that Morgan will only paint an original single once, and subsequent commission requests for a piece that already exists will be turned down. If your budget doesn’t stretch to an original, Morgan offers two limited edition versions.
2. Limited edition 3D Supersize prints of painted singles (27x27 inch single in 32x32 inch frame)
3. Limited edition 3D Oversize prints of painted singles (12Âź x 12Âź inch single in 16x16 inch frame)
This is a more affordable variant which retains the scale and impact of an original supersize 3D painting, but uses a printed bag and printed label rather than the hand-painted version on an original. Morgan applies some manual distressing to achieve the final effect, so there is an element of hand-finishing to these supersize limited edition 3D prints.
This is Morgan’s entry level piece in the exhibition. The Oversize print is a scaled down version giving you the flavour of the supersize limited edition, but in a 16x16 inch (41x41cm) overall framed size. It is not a full 3D effect as there is no separate bag and vinyl disk, but Morgan cleverly replicates the 3D effect of the bag by a two piece combination of a printed disk and printed sleeve on paper, with the sleeve window cut to reveal the disk underneath.
The basic construction and physical size is the same as an original - ie a supersize canvas bag containing a 27 inch vinyl disk that floats inside a 32 x 32 inch box frame. The edition is limited to just nine examples in this size, and each is signed and numbered by Morgan Howell on the front and supplied with a certificate of authenticity on the back of the frame. The overall effect is very similar to an original, but because the limited edition is printed rather than painted, and because the work is editioned rather than a one-off, this enables Morgan to reduce the price of the limited edition compared to his original 3D painting. Please note that these limited editions Supersize 3D singles can only be made if Morgan has already created an original painted supersize single.
These Oversize prints are produced in limited editions of just nine, each one signed and numbered on the front by Morgan Howell and supplied in a white box frame with a certificate on the reverse.
A supersize 3D painting by Morgan Howell of Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 classic, Born To Run, framed and on the gallery wall. A 27 inch diameter vinyl disk with a handpainted label sits inside a 27 x 27 inch handpainted and distressed bag. A central chrome spindle ( echoing your record player ) holds it in place inside the white box frame, so that it floats inside the frame.
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
A selection of supersize 3D paintings and oversize limited edition prints by Morgan Howell, framed and on the gallery wall, including White Man in Hammersmith Paiais by The Clash in a choice of four alternate colour sleeves.
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
“ It’s enough to provoke a Proustian rush even if you don’t own the original Vertigo 45 of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”. The 3D quality is uncanny, just like an original single has been blown up with some science-fiction enlargement machine and plonked on your wall. ” Mojo Magazine
The Collection
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH Telephone: +44 (0)207 493 1152 www.snapgalleries.com e: info@snapgalleries.com
Supersize Single, Chuck Berry, You Never Can Tell
Supersize Single, Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run
Supersize Single,The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset
Supersize Single, The Beatles, She Loves You
Supersize Single, Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone
Supersize Single, The Rolling Stones, Brown Sugar
Supersize Single, David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust
Supersize Single, T-Rex, Metal Guru
Supersize Single, The Beatles, Get Back
Supersize Single, The Beatles, Don’t Let Me Down
Supersize Single, Eagles, Hotel California
Supersize Single, Abba, Dancing Queen
Supersize Single, The Rolling Stones, (I can’t get no) Satisfaction
Supersize Single, The Chiffons, Sweet Talkin’ Guy
Supersize Single, The Who, My Generation
Supersize Single, Marvin Gaye, Let’s Get It On
Supersize Single, Glenn Campbell, Wichita Lineman
Supersize Single,The Animals, The House of the Rising Sun
Supersize Single, Black Sabbath, Paranoid
Supersize Single, Elvis Presley, Good Luck Charm
Supersize Single, David Bowie, Rebel Rebel
Supersize Single, Bob Dylan, Blowin’ In The Wind
Supersize Single, Booker T and the MGs, Green Onions
Supersize Single, Blondie, Heart of Glass
Supersize Single, Johnny Kidd and The Pirates, Shakin’ All Over
Supersize Single, The Four Tops, Walk away Renee
Supersize Single, David Bowie, Space Oddity
Supersize Single, The Special AKA, Gangsters
Supersize Single, The Clash, White Man in Hammersmith Palais - blue
Supersize Single, The Clash, White Man in Hammersmith Palais - green
Supersize Single, The Clash, White Man in Hammersmith Palais - pink
Supersize Single, The Clash, White Man in Hammersmith Palais - yellow
Supersize Single, Hank Williams, Your Cheatin’ Heart
Supersize Single, Ketty Lester, Love Letters