I’ve been researching about the Punk movement during the past week and came across some interesting visuals. One that stood out for me was a print by Jamie Reid a British artist and an anarchist. The piece is entitled “God Save the Queen” Perhaps one of the most recognized pieces of the Punk Era.
This form of design might be something that is familiar or seen nowadays but on those days this was new and never been seen before. It featured letters in an inconsistent typeface cut out from newspaper in the style of a ransom note and placed against the face of Queen Elizabeth. The use of humor here is evident as it is an obvious attempt of mocking the tradition, the intend here is aimed to provoke sympathy for the English working class and a general resentment towards the monarchy.
What was even more provoking is that the record cover was controversially released on the same day as the Queens silver jubilee June 11th , 1977. (Puppy) It is amazing to see such work being produced during that time, which was a period of intense political uncertainties and instability which caused the Punk movement to arise and address the public’s voice towards the rules set by the monarchy.
Work Cited:
Puppy, Tony. “Sex Pistols – A&M Records – 1977” April 18, 2011. Web. February 27, 2013.