Linder Sterling and Jon Savage: The Secret Public
Punk Montages, Photography and Collages 1976-1981
The Boo-Hooray gallery was happy to announce an exhibit of the punk-era collage/montage work of Jon Savage and Linder Sterling. Jon Savage is the noted author of England’s Dreaming and Teenage. Linder Sterling is a visual, performance and installation artist represented in the Tate permanent collection.
Jon Savage and Linder published the art fanzine “The Secret Public” in Manchester during the first month of 1978. It was the second New Hormones product– catalogue number ORG 2– after the Buzzcocks’ already iconic “Spiral Scratch,” and was distributed through Rough Trade and other independent outlets. This was followed by the portfolio “Mixed Media Montages” published in late 1978.
Some of these images originally appeared as flyers and as posters for the Buzzcocks, Joy Division, Magazine and Factory Records circa 1977-1980.
* The show included original montages and collages, original posters, flyers and handbills, as well as ephemera from the assembly process as well as the original publications.
* The exhibit included Jon Savage’s photographs of urban decay in London and Manchester circa 1977/1978, some of which provided the basis for his collages and montages.
* Also on display were photographs taken by Linder at underground transvestite parties in Manchester at the club Mr. Dickens circa 1976.
* Jon Savage DJed the opening party on May the 10th from 6 – 9 PM playing music of the era that influenced the work. The opening party also celebrated the now sold-out publication of The Secret Public – The Montage Art of Jon Savage and Linder Sterling. The exhibit catalogue was available for sale in regular edition, limited to 500 copies, and deluxe boxed edition with facsimiles and silkscreens. Original artwork was also available for sale.
* Jon Savage gave a talk on the Secret Public on the 11th of May at the gallery at 5 PM.