Jo Brocklehurst: Nobodies and Somebodies
3 February – 14 May 2017
House of Illustration, King’s Cross
The first retrospective of the artist who documented clubland in London, Berlin and New York.
Jo Brocklehurst (1935 – 2006) drew live in the queer cabarets, punk squats, fetish clubs and theatres of 1970s to 1990s London, Berlin and New York.
Beginning her career as a fashion illustrator, Brocklehurst later dedicated her life to creating monumental portraits in pastel, metallic inks and ultraviolet paints. Her work is a unique record of the subcultures that went on to shape the fashion and performance scenes of the late 20th century.
This first retrospective of Brocklehurst’s included many never-before-seen works including her earliest surviving portraits from the 1970s and her final installation, Brocklehurst Through the Looking-Glass.
“London’s clubland became Jo Brocklehurst’s catwalk.”
New York Times
“This is transgression at its most stylish.”
The Telegraph
“An unparalleled window into the subversive underbelly of punk.”
BBC
“Vibrant illustrations... immortalising a flamboyant subculture.”
The Guardian
Jo Brocklehurst: Nobodies and Somebodies at House of Illustration, King’s Cross
Jo Brocklehurst: Nobodies and Somebodies at House of Illustration, King’s Cross
Jo Brocklehurst: Nobodies and Somebodies at House of Illustration, King’s Cross
Co-curated by Isabelle Bricknall and Olivia Ahmad.
Works generously loaned by the Estate of Jo Brocklehurst and the V&A.
Artworks © Blondes Fine Art
Installation photographs © Paul Grover
