REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL: THE LIFE AND WORK OF BARNEY BUBBLES by paul gorman Book reviewed by Andy Martin 2 4 1 In 1974, forsaking the wisdom with finesse and melon twisting and acquaintances recall their early ‘impersonators’ (some of of my art college tutors in favour packaging concepts. And for me, dealings with the man, sometimes whom ‘fess up’ in the book) went of long afternoons in the library, there lies Barney Bubbles’ secret, with great poignancy, such as ex- on to define the subsequent I stumbled upon the works of namely his ability to look Stiff Records’ staffer Susan Spiro cultural period, and all of them Eduardo Paolozzi, Constructivism, backwards and forwards at the recalling Bubbles’ ability (me included) owe this man a Krazy Kat, and a strange volume same time, whilst always to see the beauty in everyday huge debt. by Charles Jenks, Adhocism – managing to arrive at The Very objects. There is ample evidence This book is a treasure trove The Case for Improvisation. Point of Now-ness. also that alongside his own for image-makers across all Within a couple of years I noticed As it progresses, the book image-making he was no slouch media, and a reminder that the a similar admix of ideas gives us epoch-defining glimpses when it came to art direction, graphic bombs Barney Bubbles appearing in the work of one of a shuddering cultural drawing on the talents of some dropped are still reverberating. man, but due to his reluctance landscape, clouds of patchouli of the most forward thinking In the words of the late great to credit his artworks, time would oil fade and a new world forms, photographers of the era, Brian Ian Dury: there ain’t half been have to pass before the author’s accompanied by the distinct whiff Griffin and Chris Gabrin amongst some clever bastards. identity became known to me. of cheap sulphate. But it is the them. His sharply conceived This blend of near-Stalinist periods covered by the chapters photographic set-ups captured Reasons To Be Cheerful: reduction, DIY aesthetic and 1977-78, 1979-81 and 1982-83 the Bright New Tomorrow of the The Life and Work of Barney Bubbles keen sense of F.U.N. became so that really hold the riches. Barney New Wave, a welcome antidote by Paul Gorman. infectious as to cause an Bubbles’ stylistic breadth, and the to the nihilist No Future nonsense Adelita, £24.99 5 epidemic of impersonation. proficiency with which he of early punk. His name? Barney Bubbles. approached his projects, makes If there’s one small criticism Now the truth can be told. I’m you wonder did this guy ever of the book it would be that in the 1 Cover design for Reasons to be Cheerful: a Bubbloholic. sleep? And unless you’ve been in rush to canonisation we may be The life and work of Barney Bubbles Paul Gorman’s excellent a coma for the past 30-odd years glossing over the fact that there 2 Postcard for Lives exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. Arts Council Of Great Britain. book Reasons to Be Cheerful – you won’t fail to recognise the were others operating at the time, (210mm x 140mm) – 1979 The Life and Work of Barney signature pieces, largely for Stiff NTA Studios for example, and in 3 Doremi poster(s) Bubbles, begins with some Records: album covers for The the interior design field, people For sale on Doremi Fasol Latido tour. Hawkwind. (370mm x 470mm) – 1972 stunning mid to late 1960s Damned; a logo and a range of like Tommy Roberts were forcing 4 The Ian Dury Songbook graphic work for Oz and the cheesy wallpaper album covers incongruous ideas and materials Book cover. Wise Publications. burgeoning underground scene. for Ian Dury and The Blockheads; into new settings. But what Bubbles (300mm x 200mm) – 1979 His work for the band Hawkwind Elvis Costello record sleeves; did was to show the way ahead to 5 Newspaper ad for The Soft Boys tour and single release. Radar Records – 1978 shows the early ‘hippy opulence’ even the NME logo. a luckily placed generation who 6 Darling Let’s Have Another Baby giving way to a mix of Teutonic This long awaited volume immediately understood and Back cover of 7” single for Johnny Moped. bombast, Art Nouveau and reconstructs the idea of Barney as responded to his mix of styles and Chiswick Records – 1978 futuristic fantasy, all executed a person and an artist. Friends choice of materials. Many of those 3 6 56 REVIEWS 6/15 57 REVIEWS 7/15.