Legend Sir Peter Blake's farewell to the Polaroid

Jun 20 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

AN exclusive exhibition by Sir Peter Blake opened in Newcastle yesterday, featuring a series of signed Polaroids.

His latest work was unveiled last night at the Opus Gallery in Gosforth, and will go on public view today, giving fans an intimate insight into the life of the artist.

Everyday objects such as an armchair, birdcage, and even his father’s model trains, feature in the series of 100 Polaroids taken in his home and studio.

Sir Peter, 77 next Thursday, is perhaps best known for creating the artwork for The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band album cover. Though he is one of Britain’s best known pop artists, his career has encompassed much more, ranging over painting, collage, sculpture, engraving and print, revisiting and reworking themes and characters.

The former visiting lecturer at Newcastle University has previously expressed his interest in “found objects” such as old cigarette packets, and the Blake Polaroids also tap into the concept that art is all around us.

They also mark a pivotal moment in photographic history, as Polaroid announced in February last year that it would no longer produce the film which produced countless snaps in the 1960s and 70s.

Last night he told The Journal: “It’s the end of an era. These are vintage already.

“I have always liked to make things accessible. I did the Art Car Boot Fair and we did prints which we sold for £30 each, and I have always tried to make it so the art is for everyone. These are more expensive, but I hope they are as accessible for people to enjoy.

“They are all either taken at home or in the studio so they are like a tour. It’s a way of showing people the studio. When I was asked to do it, the idea just appealed to me. It’s like 100 little drawings.”

Each of the Polaroids are signed and dated by Sir Peter. Displayed in small white frames, in groups of four, the pictures were eagerly examined at an exclusive preview last night.

Their impact as a series is stunning, but each of the individual Polaroids is for sale separately.

“I don’t mind the thought of them being separated, “ said Sir Peter. “At least I have the original objects still.”

With a launch price-tag of £950, Opus Art admits they might sound expensive, but have pointed out that Polaroids by past masters such as Andy Warhol and Helmut Newton can now change hands for more than £30,000 at auction.

Polaroids by Sir Peter Blake can be seen at Opus Gallery, West Avenue, Gosforth, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, until August 1. For more details, visit the website at www.opus-art.com. A full interview with Sir Peter will feature in Culture magazine, out on June 30.