Llanfyllin set for a taste of the Sex Pistols

The artist behind some of punk’s most memorable designs will be the focus of an exhibition being launched in Llanfyllin this week.

This Saturday evening, Awen art gallery officially opens its “Our’s is the C21st” exhibition of works by Jamie Reid, the man who put the safety pin through the Queen’s lip.

Artist Brian Jones, who is Awen’s curator will, for the first time, be opening his extensive archive of Jamie Reid’s works, which range from Suburban Press, to The Sex Pistols and beyond.

In addition to being the art gallery’s curator, Brian worked closely with Reid in various capacities over a 20-year period and was friends with the artist for over 40 years.

Reid was even Best Man at Brian’s wedding and spent a lot of time at the Jones residences in mid-Wales.

The exhibition will feature a selection of works from original pieces to unused versions, rogue materials and alternative colourways, some of which have never been shown before. Many of these works will be for sale.

Brian will be giving an introductory talk at 7pm at the official launch evening on Saturday, which will end with a Q&A session on the works and working with the artist.

For the duration of the exhibition they will be showing some rare videos which will include “Sex Pistols No.1” by John ‘Boogie’ Tiberi, a documentrary/interview with the artist and “Chaos In Cancerland” (the only known copy), a rare Jamie Reid/Margi Clarke short directed by Nick Ham.

The same evening will also see the launch of issue no. 2 of their quarterly artzine, the Chronic, which will feature Rhys Mwyn as their guest contributor. Fittingly, Mr. Mwyn will be writing about Jamie Reid and allotments.

Then, add Mascot Moth to the mix so that they can launch the physical copies of their new “MOTHerSHIP” album and we are set for a jam-packed evening of Culture on offer this Saturday.

In the words of Brian, “Jamie’s work for the Pistols defined the look of British Punk, but there was so much more to his Art. It was great to work with him but even more of an honour to count him as a friend for so long”.

The exhibition runs from Thursday (July 30) – September 20. But the official launch evening will be from 6pm-9pm this Saturday (August 1).