SECRET 7” EXHIBITION LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK FEATURING KENT ARTISTS
LEGENDARY MUSICIANS AND LEADING ARTISTS COLLABORATE TO PRODUCE 700 ONE-OF-A-KIND 7” SINGLES FOR HELP REFUGEES
Secret 7”, the much loved anonymous charity record sleeve sale that marries world leading artists with legendary musicians, is set to return for its seventh and final show at Greenwich Peninsula’s NOW Gallery, from 14th October - 1st November 2020.
Among the 700 designers who have created one-of-a-kind vinyl pressings to raise money for Help Refugees this year are: Sir Anish Kapoor, one of the most influential sculptors of his generation; British painter Lubaina Himid; conceptual visual artist Tacita Dean; contemporary multidisciplinary Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson and the elusive fictional characters The Connor Brothers.
Additional contributors include Kent-based artists : Rhea Thierstein, Nick White, Andrew Miller, Crispin Finn, Jason Evans, Charlie Oscar Patterson and Daisy Parris.
There are also pieces by Jake & Dinos Chapman, Gavin Turk, Jeremy Deller, Hattie Stewart, Lotte Andersen, Shona Heath, Gregor Hildebrandt, Stuart Semple, Bob & Roberta Smith, Jadé Fadojutimi, Mark Wallinger, Helen Beard, Unskilled Worker and many, many more. They’ll be joined by artists chosen via an open submission, which had almost 6,000 entries this year.
All designers have created one-of-a-kind artwork for their choice of this year’s iconic seven tracks: Aretha Franklin ‘One Step Ahead’, Bob Dylan ‘Blind Willie McTell’, Foo Fighters ‘This Is A Call’, The Internet ‘Come Over’, Koffee ‘Toast’, Miles Davis ‘Miles Runs The Voodoo Down’, and Vampire Weekend ‘Harmony Hall’.
The 700 records will go on display in a free exhibition, open Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm; Saturdays 10am - 5pm; Sundays 11am - 4pm at NOW Gallery on Greenwich Peninsula from 14th Oct - 1st Nov.
Visitor numbers are capped at 15 at any one time and a one way route will be in place to ensure the safety of all attendees. Booking a timed entry ticket is essential - for more information and to book, visit https://secret-7.com/page/exhibition.
On Sunday 1st November, all the records will be sold to the public. The twist? The identity of the sleeve designer remains under wraps until the record is purchased. Therein lies the secret.
In light of current events, the celebrated Secret 7” ‘sale day’ - which has in the past seen queues form up to 52 hours - will take place digitally this year. The auction will take place on eBay, Secret 7"s historical auction partner, which will be providing operational support and, through eBay for Charity, waiving its fees in support of the charity initiative.
To mark the grand finale of the project, Secret 7” will also be launching a podcast series featuring founder Kevin King and NOW Gallery curator Kaia Charles in conversation with prominent creatives from the music and design worlds. The series will, naturally, be made up of seven episodes and delves into the infinite and holy connection between music and art with guests including Kate Moross, Shona Heath, Haroon Mirza, Lotte Anderson, StormStudios and Kosmo Vinyl. Secret 7” veteran Gavin Turk also features, discussing his long standing contribution to the exhibition.
Launched in 2012 by Kevin King and Jordan Stokes, Secret 7” has to date sold 4,200 unique records and raised over £215,000 for charitable causes over its illustrious history. In what will be its final year in the current format, Secret 7” will support the work of Help Refugees, supporting the provision of food, clothing and shelter to refugees in 14 countries around the world.
