The Idea Generation Gallery presents the largest collection of Syd Barrett's unseen photographs, personal love letters and original artworks
Syd Barrett, born Roger Keith Barrett, is the man who brought us Pink Floyd’s first three 1967 chart-topping singles – Arnold Layne, See Emily Play and Apples and Oranges – as the English psychedellic rock band’s founding member and songwriter. Now for the first time, and nearly 5 years after Barrett’s death, the largest collection of his unseen photographs, personal love letters and original artworks will be exhibited at the Idea Generation Gallery, London. Bringing to light the rock legend’s other dimension of creativity, Syd Barrett: Art and Letters maps Barrett’s fascinating life from 1962 up until his death in 2006.
Originally a student at London’s Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, it was only in 1968 when Barrett left the band that he was able to once again return to his earliest creative love, painting. As his sister Rosemary Breen explains, “He was never more content than when sketching or painting, be it cartoons, abstracts or still life. Syd felt above all he was an artist and loved experimenting with different mediums, sometimes just to see what might happen!”
Also on show are a collection of previously unseen intimate images from Barrett’s childhood up and through to the psychedllic and progressive rock years of 1960s and including much of his time spent in the Pink Floyd. The first ever photographs of the band playing live in Denmark will be exhibited alongside images by prominent photographer Mick Rock that he had considered lost forever.
An incredible performer, both wild and energetic, his love letters on display reveal a sensitive and private side to the public showman. Other notes and writings present an insightful document of the birth of Pink Floyd: revealing some of the early background behind the band’s success and what led them to become iconic musicians of the 1960’s underground scene.
Celebrating the lesser-known side of Syd Barrett this extensive show not only reaffirms the musician’s rock legend status but also presents a truly impressive and imaginative all round creative.
Text by Lucia Davies
Syd Barrett: Art and Letters runs from tomorrow until 10 April at Idea Generation Gallery, London. http://barrettbook.com/.
