Music / art
Renowned artist turns venue into gallery
Inspired by music from a young age and going on to create artworks for some of the world’s biggest musicians including Noel Gallagher, the Who, Ed Sheeran, Madness and Arctic Monkeys, Pete McKee is now bringing his art into spaces reserved traditionally for music.
His latest exhibition, The Boy With a Leg Named Brian, is combing his twin loves of art and music with a tour of small venues in celebration of the grassroots scene.
‘How We Used to Watch Great Moment in Music History’ – artwork by Pete McKee
McKee will be selling limited edition venue-specific prints in support of Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity dedicated to ensuring the scene continues to thrive.
Explaining his decision to install the artworks in the Exchange, a community-owned venue on Old Market that inspired the MVT’s Own Our Venues campaign that recently revived much loved venue the Croft, McKee said: “Music is a huge part of my life, and features constantly in my work.
“We have picked some of the most amazing venues for this tour which have played host to some of the biggest artists before they were famous.
“Grassroots music venues like this are vital for bands like mine to perform to new audiences. I love showcasing my artwork in non-traditional spaces too, so this is going to be a real celebration of art and music.”
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McKee’s exhibition spans his life growing up on a council estate in the 70s and 80s, with representations of everyday working class life and pop culture presented in his signature colourful, comedic and cartoon-esque style.
Across a star-studded career that has straddled his passions for counter-cultural music and fashion, he has produced a portrait of Noel Gallagher on a ten-foot Gibson guitar, designed a limited edition pair of Clarks Desert Boots inspired by the mod scene and collaborated with designer Paul Smith.
He was commissioned to create film posters to celebrate Dead Man’s Shoes and This Is England makers Warp Films tenth anniversary, designed a limited edition turntable for record store day, and painted murals around his native Sheffield where he opened his own gallery in 2010.
As well as showcasing his work, McKee wants to open up grassroots venues to allow visitors to experience them as they haven’t before.
“Independent music venues like these are really important to me, not only are they where our band plays but it is also where I have seen countless artists over the years hone their craft.
“Music venues are closing down at a frightening rate across the country and it is important that we work hard to keep them alive. I can’t wait to bring my exhibition to your city and show my work in these beautiful and very different spaces from a gallery.”
The Boy With a Leg Named Brian is open and free to attend from 12-5pm on May 3. The Everly Pregnant Brothers gig opens at 7pm. Find tickets at seetickets.com/event/everly-pregnant-brothers/the-exchange/3594975
Main image: Pete McKee
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