Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, needs little introduction; he is a cultural dance music icon, DJ, producer and ‘Skint’ music label head. He is a leading figure who popularised the ubiquitous Big Beat genre throughout the 90s and 00s, a sound that time-stamped the decade and beyond. An ambassador for ‘Cool Britannia’, he is loyal to his hometown Brighton, bringing his sound to the rest of the world with albums like ‘You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby’ and singles such as ‘Praise You’ and ‘The Rockafeller Skank’.
Active when vinyl was the only format you needed to DJ, he transported his records across the globe in this very box. Making it inimitable by covering it with all of the stickers and badges he collected along the way. The box has been present at every destination and gig alongside him from the infamous Big Beach Boutique, Australia, Santa Cruz, Ibiza, Glastonbury, the list is endless…
The passion, spirit and detail of this now cultural artifact has been captured visually by British artist Mark Vessey, a rising star in the international art world, best-known for exploring and celebrating icons of contemporary pop culture, he lovingly curates the subjects of his images which include magazines, books and vinyl records that have had special and important significance within the popular cultural heritage of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
‘The significance of what Mark does with objects like this is he makes the significance of seemingly everyday objects by photographing them so beautifully and elevating them and putting them on a pedestal and in a frame. He sort of says, this is more than just a bunch of old magazines. This is history here. This is more than just somebody’s old records. This is history and their culture and their art. He recognises beauty in the flawed nature of our old possessions.’ Norman Cook
This new print and photograph follows on from his original artwork entitled ‘Norman’ which showcased the DJ’s inimitable record collection. This new release is designed to complement the original work as part of Normans new book release ‘It Ain’t Over… ‘Til The Fat Boy Sings’ launched to compliment the story.
“I saw Norman’s record box one evening when he was using it to DJ and I was drawn to it straight away. I knew I had to photograph it as I believed it was an important artefact that – in the same way as his vinyl collection – is a unique reflection of Norman. I also thought that the artwork would complement my earlier artwork of Norman’s vinyl collection. The two spoke directly to each other.
The vinyl box is completely covered in different layers of stickers from original Keith Haring Pop Shop stickers, Acid House Smilies, to brands such as Stussy and Dior. I’m grateful that Norman has allowed me access to photograph his personal items in such a way that we are all able to get up close to them”. Mark Vessey
The piece will be released exclusively through Hang-Up Gallery, one of London’s leading contemporary art spaces. A limited run of prints will be available in three sizes from 1st October, both in the gallery and online via www.hanguppictures.com.
Each print is signed and numbered by Mark Vessey and Norman Cook, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of music and visual art history.
