Full Description
This major retrospective catalogue accompanies the first institutional exhibition focusing on the visual works of art by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke. The majority of the paintings, drawings and digital works were specifically made for Yorke's internationally celebrated band Radiohead, formed in Oxford in 1985. The book is beautifully designed in the same size as a record cover and features iconic artworks from the 1980s until today, relating to Radiohead albums, their covers and promotional band images, as well as sketchbooks and rare materials from their archives that have never before been published. It offers fresh views on the art of album covers, exploring the complex relationship between visual art and music.
Radiohead was formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The collaboration with the artist Stanley Donwood began in 1994 when the band was developing their second album, The Bends, which was released on 13th March, 1995. 2025 is therefore the 40-year anniversary of the band and the 30-year anniversary of the release of The Bends. The catalogue's focus is upon the art produced by both Stanley Donwood and the band's lead vocalist, Thom Yorke presented chronologically. Radiohead's popularity has never waned and they have a strong core following and new fans (many of who are the children of 'original' fans).
The high-quality reproductions are complemented by exclusive interviews with the artists, and essays by Alex Farquharson, Nico Kos Earle, Benjamin Myers, James Putnam and Jennifer Ramkalawon.
A major retrospective is held at the Ashmolean Museum from August 2025 to January 2026.
Contents
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
RADIOHEAD: THE BENDS (1995)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
WHERE IS HERE? THE VISUAL ART OF STANLEY DONWOOD AND THOM YORKE
Alex Farquharson
RADIOHEAD: OK COMPUTER (1997)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
RADIOHEAD: KID A (2000) & AMNESIAC (2001)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
RADIOHEAD: HAIL TO THE THIEF (2003)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
THE ART-MUSIC CONNECTION AND THE ALBUM COVER AS ART
James Putnam
THOM YORKE: THE ERASER (2006)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
RADIOHEAD: IN RAINBOWS (2007)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
THE SKETCHBOOK AS VISUAL DIARY
Jennifer Ramkalawon
RADIOHEAD: THE KING OF LIMBS (2011)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
THOM YORKE: TOMORROW'S MODERN BOXES (2014)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
RADIOHEAD: A MOON SHAPED POOL (2016)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
WHAT EXISTS BETWEEN US
Nico Kos Earle
THOM YORKE: ANIMA (2019)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
THE SMILE: A LIGHT FOR ATTRACTING ATTENTION (2022) & WALL OF EYES (2024)
IN-CONVERSATION WITH THOM & STANLEY
RESPONSES TO THE ARTWORK ACCOMPANYING POPULAR MUSICAL GROUP 'THE SMILE'
Benjamin Myers
RADIOHEAD AND STANLEY DONWOOD: AFFECTING, HAUNTING, WONDERFUL
Mark Radcliffe
