'SIXTIES GRAPHICS
Victoria & Albert Museum
Autumn 2006
Reviewed by Cardinal Cox

Write Dope on Pnuk part 20 

This exhibition was tucked away on the third floor, so tucked, I had to ask at the information desk. The instructions included "don't get distracted by the silver." The exhibition started with psychedelic posters for gigs at the UFO Club and elsewhere. Lurid shades of prime colours that are difficult to read.

Amongst the publications were such legendary counter-culture magazines as 'International Times' and 'Oz', the latter of which became the subject of an obscenity trial. A selection of albums were similarly displayed. 'Sgt. Pepper', including the Oscar Wilde head from the original photo shoot; 'Their Satanic Majesties', with 3D lenticular art; 'Axis: Bold As Love', with its Indian inspired central spread; 'My People Were Fair...', the Tolkienesque whimsey of T-Rex.

The influences on this period were also explored. Both Aubrey Beardsley and Alphonse Mucha's Art Nouveau fed back from the swirling lush figures. These were juxtaposed with Bridget Reilly's Op Art that supplied backgrounds to other designs.

A small show that deserved some sign posting, especially as elsewhere in the museum was an exhibition on 'sixties fashion that would have supplied a crossover audience. 

© All work copyright of Cardinal Cox.