Blank Generation

26 January 2012 to 8 March 2012

As an adolescent in Western Super Mare Gary Loveridge – music poster collector and punk historian stole a Damned poster from the local record shop’s sound proof listening booth. Then going to gigs in Bristol he would take down the record company display advertising the band’s latest releases. Not many survived two hours of po-going intact. On the way home Loveridge would then rip down the fly posters and anything else he could get his hands on. This began a growing patchy punk collage over his teenage bedroom wall, thus beginning Loveridges’ collection of music posters.

Moving to London in 1987 Loveridge discovered markets such as Bermondsey, Portobello Road and Camden, providing him with a good hunting ground for expanding his collection posters and other memorabilia, with Loveridges’ collection to date (How Many Poster?) The collection has changed over time as music trends have changed and with some being lost, destroyed, or sold. Despite this the collection remains a vibrant and authoritative representation of an important era in British popular music history.

The …………. Exhibition at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning presents Loveridges’ collection of Punk Posters and {Memoribilla?}. alongside a series of events reflecting on 30 years of great music and its associated art. The exhibition and events also consider an on-going punk movement and the relevance of punk in today’s creative and political climate.

Aside from my punk posters, I have also collected Britpop and Libertines material. The ones from ’77-’78 hold a special place for me. I am looking forward to seeing these on display at the 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Gallery space.

For more information and to book events, please contact 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning tel: +44(0)207 978 8309 e-mail: info@198.org.uk