meeting Sir Peter Blake – Four Decades, Chelsea Futurespace & an Art Bus

The private view for Four Decades an exhibition of prints by Sir Peter Blake, selected by the artist took place recently at Chelsea Futurespace, Grosvenor Waterside. Part of my role working at CHELSEA space, also involves me working at Chelsea Futurespace, where I recently co-curated the exhibition SURFACE which you can read about here.

Sir Peter Blake is renowned for his influence on Pop Art and culture and is frequently referred to as the ‘Godfather of British Pop Art’. One of his most famous works must be his design for the iconic cover of The Beatles’ ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. I borrowed one of the two copies of the record my parents own, to take a picture of the well known image.

The Beatles’ ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ record cover designed by Sir Peter Blake

Blake’s work takes its influence from the realms of pop culture, literature, music and contemporary art. The suites of prints in the Four Decades exhibition include his series of Appropriated Alphabets, Alice in Wonderland, The Butterfly Man (Homage to Damien Hirst) and Homage to Schwitters. Other highlights include prints from the Found Art series, screenprints from collage and portraits of musicians. The show covers the diversity and dexterity of Blake’s practice as an artist working in print across the last four decades.

Sir Peter Blake and I with my CHELSEA space colleague Daisy McMullan

Sir Peter Blake was extremely generous and during the private view as guests queued up to meet great Godfather of British Pop Art, Blake found time for a few words with everyone and signed all the publications from the exhibition that were offered, using his famous signature.

Sir Peter Blake signs my publication copy

Peter Blake signs my copy of the Four Decades publication from Chelsea Futurespace

I love the CCA Art Bus – a mobile work of art designed by Sir Peter Blake which is also a mobile art gallery. I saw the art bus at  the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Battersea Park- 3rd June last year in 2012. Sir Peter Blake’s work is always approachable and eye catching, of the moment and British.  Here’s hoping we see many more of his prints in the decades to come!

Kate Ross by the CCA Art Bus designed by Sir Peter Blake at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Battersea Park- 3rd June 2012