‘PRESSING MATTERS’ VINYL ART EXHIBITION AND AUCTION RAISES £36,039 FOR MUSIC SUPPORT

“A simple concept: Ask musicians, labels and managers to donate vinyl, test pressings and acetates of their records. Then give them to contemporary artists to use as a blank canvas, auction them and give all the money raised to Music Support.”

AN EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITION AND ONE-OFF AUCTION OF SOME OF THE WORLD’S RAREST VINYLS FROM MUSIC ICONS (COLDPLAY, YUNGBLUD, ARCTIC MONKEYS, THE ROLLING STONES, THE PRODIGY, PET SHOP BOYS, CHARLI XCX, THE HORRORS, KANO AND MANY MORE) VISUALISED INTO ONE OF A KIND ARTWORKS BY LEADING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS (DAVID SHRIGLEY, SHEPARD FAIREY,LARRY ACHIAMPONG, GAVIN TURK, JAMES JOYCE, PURE EVIL) IN AID OF CHARITY - MUSIC SUPPORT

Following the month-long exhibition of ‘Pressing Matters’ at MATCHESFASHION and a one night private view at Soho’s Electric Space, a staggering £36,039 was raised for grassroots charity Music Support through an online auction of the 33 artworks, with Shephard Fairey’s signature reimagining of The Clash’s London Calling alone raising an impressive £10,000.

Presented by Helium London in association with Music Support and MATCHESFASHION and curated and created by Pavement Licker, ‘Pressing Matters’ saw leading contemporary artists creating unique pieces from rare test pressings and vinyl donated by the biggest names in the music industry. Following support and coverage from the likes of The Observer, NME, GQ, Creative Review, Music Week and It’s Nice That, the 33 one-of-a-kind artworks were auctioned online by Helium London over the weekend of June 4th/5th.

Crucially, every last penny raised from the auction will be in aid of Music Support - the grassroots charity founded to support those in the UK music industry affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction. They provide direct help through their helpline, peer support, crisis support and the mental health app Thrive, as well as facilitate awareness, early intervention and prevention through education and learning via workshops and trainings.

Coinciding with Music Support’s 5th anniversary, music artists, their management teams and record labels have come together to support their peers who may be struggling, more so now than ever due to the ongoing impact of Covid.

“This unbelievable sum of money will have a major impact on people in the music industry’s lives through Music Support’s education, prevention and support services in the mental health and addiction fields.” says Music Support Co-founder and Chair of Trustees Matt Thomas; “The amazing profile generated by the exhibition has also amplified the message that no-one need go through the kind of issues we deal with on their own. In this particularly difficult time for the industry, that’s hugely important. It’s hard to express appropriate gratitude, but to Helium London and Pavement Licker who made it happen, and all who donated and painted and sculpted – you have Music Support’s eternal thanks and admiration. We pledge to do our very best at all times and honour this amazing achievement.”

Presenting this Helium London event, founder and CEO Jennifer McCormick says: “Creating this exhibition has been the most wonderful convergence of my personal and work life in order to champion Music Support. It has brought together phenomenal talent without prejudice and forged new creative relationships all united in breaking down barriers surrounding addiction and mental health”.

Josh Jones from Pavement Licker said: “We were delighted to create and curate this show, bringing together our friends in the music and art communities for an incredible exhibition, raising money for a great charity.”

PRESSING MATTERS

MUSICIANS

Fatboy Slim, Coldplay, Chic (donated by Nile Rodgers), The Clash, Charli XCX, Kim Gordon, Rolling Stones, Yungblud, Sleaford Mods, Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Sam Fender, James Lavelle, Sonic Youth, The Who, Kano, Depeche Mode, Slowthai, The Horrors, Bicep, Underworld, IDLES and more

ARTISTS:

Shepard Fairey, David Shrigley, Grace Neutral, Pure Evil, Sarah Maple, Nettie Wakefield, Zoltar, Thomas J Price, Vhils, Gavin Turk, Lucy Pass, Cold War Steve, Jamie Reid, Paul Insect, Jeremy Deller, Larry Achiampong, Remi Rough, Jean Jullien, Alex May Hughes, Fred Coppin, Barry Reigate, Joy Yumasangie and more