23 August 2007
Pop Art Goes Live Art On The South Bank
Sir Peter Blake, the godfather of British Pop Art, has spent the last week creating a stunning piece of pop art celebrating summer on London's South Bank. On Thursday 23rd August, Sir Peter and his team put the final touches to the 20ft high work of art, live on the eastern corner of Jubilee Gardens on Jubilee Walk. Once finished, the artwork - commissioned by 'Coca-Cola' - will become a landmark on the South Bank for the rest of August.
'Coca-Cola' invited people to head to the South Bank to be a part of this unmissable event and witness one of the world's leading artists create a unique moment in art history in real time. Sir Peter used the iconic 'Coke' bottle and the feel good 'Coke Side of Life' theme as the inspiration for the artwork with the piece taking the form of a spectacular image emerging from the neck of the bottle.
The brand's support of the South Bank this summer also extends to a temporary installation of artwork by some of the world's hottest designers such as Vault 49 and Adhemas (Brazil). A total of 14 designers will have their interpretation of summer on the 'Coke side of life' displayed as part of this gallery alongside Sir Peter's artwork. 'Coca-Cola' is also sponsoring the Andy Warhol Season at the BFI throughout August and September.
Sir Peter Blake commented: "Working with one of the most famous and iconic brands in the world, gives me the opportunity to bring my art to more people and create an original piece of work that people can experience and enjoy. The South Bank is traditionally one of London's most lively and creative areas during the summer and having used 'Coke' imagery in some of my previous work, the whole project felt like a really natural fit. Who knows, the sun may even come out as we're creating the piece!"
Cathryn Sleight Marketing Director Coca-Cola Great Britain said: "It's fantastic that someone as iconic as Sir Peter Blake is inspired by the 'Coca-Cola' brand and imagery to create a unique piece of art for people to enjoy this summer. Sir Peter is in good company as he joins other inspirational artists such as Andy Warhol, Haddon Sundblom and Matthew Williamson who have previously interpreted our brand in the past. We wanted to celebrate all that is good about summer on the 'Coke side of life' in London and who better to join forces with than a renowned and respected artist such as Sir Peter."
Notes to Editors:
'Coca-Cola', 'Coke', and 'The Coke Side of Life' are registered trade marks of The Coca-Cola Company.
Peter Blake Biography
1932 Born 25 June, Dartford Kent
1646-49 Gravesend Technical College and School of Art, Junior Art Department
1949-51 Gravesend School of Art
1950 Accepted by the Royal College of Art, London
1951-53 National Service in the RAF
1953-56 Royal College of Art, London - First Class Diploma (1956)
1956-57 Leverhulme Research Award to study popular art: travelled in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain
1960-62 Taught at St. Martin's School of Art, London
1960-63 Taught at Harrow School of Art
1961 Featured in Ken Russell's BBC 'Monitor' film Pop goes the easel / First Prize Junior Section, John Moores Liverpool Exhibition
1961-64 Taught at Walthamstow School of Art
1962 First On-Man exhibition, Portal Gallery, London
1963 Married Jan Haworth
1964-76 Taught at Royal College of Art, London
1968 Daughter, Juliette Liberty Blake, born
1969 Moved to Wellow, Avon / Retrospective exhibition at City Art Gallery, Bristol
1973-74 Retrospective exhibition; touring to Amsterdam; Hamburg; Brussels; Arnhem
1974 Daughter, Daisy Blake, born / Elected A.R.A (Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London)
1975 Founding member of the Brotherhood of Ruralists, with Jann Haworth, Ann and Graham Arnold, David Inshaw, and Annie and Graham Ovenden
1979 Separated from Jann Haworth; returned to London
1980 Met Chrissy Wilson
1981 Elected R.A. (Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London)
1983 Awarded C.B.E
1985 Designed poster for Live Aid, world's largest ever multi-national pop concert on 13th July, in aid of African famine relief
1986 Publication of Marina Vaizey's monograph Peter Blake
1987 Marriage to Chrissy Wilson / Daughter, Rose Blake born
1994 Third associate artist of the National Gallery
1998 Made Honorary Doctor, Royal College of Art, London
2002 Receives Knighthood
2005 Designed poster for the Live 8 concert 2nd July 2005 / Resigned from the Royal Academy of Arts, London
2006 Judge of John Moores 24, Liverpool
2007 A Retrospective exhibition, Tate Modern, Liverpool
'Coca-Cola' invited people to head to the South Bank to be a part of this unmissable event and witness one of the world's leading artists create a unique moment in art history in real time. Sir Peter used the iconic 'Coke' bottle and the feel good 'Coke Side of Life' theme as the inspiration for the artwork with the piece taking the form of a spectacular image emerging from the neck of the bottle.
The brand's support of the South Bank this summer also extends to a temporary installation of artwork by some of the world's hottest designers such as Vault 49 and Adhemas (Brazil). A total of 14 designers will have their interpretation of summer on the 'Coke side of life' displayed as part of this gallery alongside Sir Peter's artwork. 'Coca-Cola' is also sponsoring the Andy Warhol Season at the BFI throughout August and September.
Sir Peter Blake commented: "Working with one of the most famous and iconic brands in the world, gives me the opportunity to bring my art to more people and create an original piece of work that people can experience and enjoy. The South Bank is traditionally one of London's most lively and creative areas during the summer and having used 'Coke' imagery in some of my previous work, the whole project felt like a really natural fit. Who knows, the sun may even come out as we're creating the piece!"
Cathryn Sleight Marketing Director Coca-Cola Great Britain said: "It's fantastic that someone as iconic as Sir Peter Blake is inspired by the 'Coca-Cola' brand and imagery to create a unique piece of art for people to enjoy this summer. Sir Peter is in good company as he joins other inspirational artists such as Andy Warhol, Haddon Sundblom and Matthew Williamson who have previously interpreted our brand in the past. We wanted to celebrate all that is good about summer on the 'Coke side of life' in London and who better to join forces with than a renowned and respected artist such as Sir Peter."
Notes to Editors:
'Coca-Cola', 'Coke', and 'The Coke Side of Life' are registered trade marks of The Coca-Cola Company.
Peter Blake Biography
1932 Born 25 June, Dartford Kent
1646-49 Gravesend Technical College and School of Art, Junior Art Department
1949-51 Gravesend School of Art
1950 Accepted by the Royal College of Art, London
1951-53 National Service in the RAF
1953-56 Royal College of Art, London - First Class Diploma (1956)
1956-57 Leverhulme Research Award to study popular art: travelled in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain
1960-62 Taught at St. Martin's School of Art, London
1960-63 Taught at Harrow School of Art
1961 Featured in Ken Russell's BBC 'Monitor' film Pop goes the easel / First Prize Junior Section, John Moores Liverpool Exhibition
1961-64 Taught at Walthamstow School of Art
1962 First On-Man exhibition, Portal Gallery, London
1963 Married Jan Haworth
1964-76 Taught at Royal College of Art, London
1968 Daughter, Juliette Liberty Blake, born
1969 Moved to Wellow, Avon / Retrospective exhibition at City Art Gallery, Bristol
1973-74 Retrospective exhibition; touring to Amsterdam; Hamburg; Brussels; Arnhem
1974 Daughter, Daisy Blake, born / Elected A.R.A (Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London)
1975 Founding member of the Brotherhood of Ruralists, with Jann Haworth, Ann and Graham Arnold, David Inshaw, and Annie and Graham Ovenden
1979 Separated from Jann Haworth; returned to London
1980 Met Chrissy Wilson
1981 Elected R.A. (Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London)
1983 Awarded C.B.E
1985 Designed poster for Live Aid, world's largest ever multi-national pop concert on 13th July, in aid of African famine relief
1986 Publication of Marina Vaizey's monograph Peter Blake
1987 Marriage to Chrissy Wilson / Daughter, Rose Blake born
1994 Third associate artist of the National Gallery
1998 Made Honorary Doctor, Royal College of Art, London
2002 Receives Knighthood
2005 Designed poster for the Live 8 concert 2nd July 2005 / Resigned from the Royal Academy of Arts, London
2006 Judge of John Moores 24, Liverpool
2007 A Retrospective exhibition, Tate Modern, Liverpool
