Overview
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.
Full Product Details
Author: Lena Fritsch ,
Benjamin Myers
Publisher: Ashmolean Museum
Imprint: Ashmolean Museum
Dimensions:
Width: 30.00cm
, Height: 2.20cm
, Length: 30.00cm
Weight: 1.640kg
ISBN: 9781910807668
ISBN 10: 1910807664
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 24 July 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
""As the pair’s back catalogue of album sleeves, paintings, musings and more goes on show at Oxford’s Ashmolean, Radiohead singer-songwriter Yorke and his longtime collaborator Donwood talk exclusively to Wallpaper’s Craig McLean"" - Wallpaper
Author Information
Lena Fritsch is the Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art at the Ashmolean, responsible for exhibitions, displays and acquisitions of international art. She teaches at the University of Oxford, V&A and SOAS. Previously, she was a curator at Tate Modern, London and Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin. Recent publications include Anselm Kiefer: Early Works (2025), Ashmolean NOW: Pio Abad (2024), Ashmolean NOW: Flora Yukhnovich x Daniel Crews-Chubb (2023), Tokyo: Art & Photography (with Clare Pollard, 2021). She holds a PhD from Bonn University and also studied at Keio University, Tokyo. Benjamin Myers is an award-winning author and journalist, whose work includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry and journalism. His novels have been translated into13 languages. He is the author of Rare Singles, Cuddy, The Gallows Pole, The Offing and many more.
