This year marks the unofficial 40th anniversary of punk, to be in part marked by a free exhibition at the British Library launching this Friday [13th May].
Exhibiting iconic punk memorabilia, including from the worlds of fashion and design, the event will look back towards the roots of punk in France and New York, as well as the catalyst of Sex Pistols and their contemporaries.
Fanzines will also be prominently featured, as well as rare items collated from other national exhibitions.
Notable exhibits include a rare unreleased copy of Sex Pistol’s ‘God Save The Queen’ single, the first punk fanzine Sniffin’ Glue, original Roxy Club and Eric’s Club gig tickets and posters, clothing from the SEX boutique run by Vivenne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, and much more.
“Forty years ago punk had a huge impact on many aspects of British culture and continues to do so today, so we’re excited to dedicate an exhibition to it – featuring music, film, magazines and fanzines, record sleeves and more,” says exhibition curator Andy Linehan. “‘Punk 1976-78’ showcases the British Library’s unique collection of contemporary culture, as well as celebrating a phenomenon that spread across the nation and changed our cultural landscape.”
Special events during the exhibition’s run from the 13th May to the 2nd October 2016 also include an evening with Sex Pistol John Lydon, a conversation with punk pioneer and Clash manager Bernard Rhodes, an evening with original Buzzcocks members Steve Diggle and Pete Shelley and manager Richard Boon, and ‘Stories for the She Punks‘ featuring Tessa Pollitt of The Slits, Gina Birch of the Raincoats, Helen Reddington of The Chefs and Jane Woodgate from the Mo-Dettes.
For full details head to the British Library website.