aaamusic | On 23, Jun 2010

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Take one of the most iconic rock images, originally rejected by the acclaimed photographer Pennie Smith. Then add the album title and the band’s name in pink and green, and the result is the legendary Clash London Calling album artwork, immortalized by the illustrator Ray Lowry.

Ray Lowry: London Calling exhibition at the Idea Generation gallery pays tribute to the great illustrator, whose work has appeared on the NME, Punch and Oz, as well as being the 1979 Clash American tour “war artist”. To celebrate the three decades from the iconic album cover, 30 artists and musicians have produced images inspired by the famous artwork. Works by Tracey Emin, Keith Allen, Billy Childish, John Squire, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon are displayed, alongside the late Lowry original sketches, cartoons, illustrations, paintings and designs for albums which have never seen the light.

The interpretations will be auctioned for the Ray Lowry Foundation, which supports further education projects for the underprivileged.

Ray Lowry: London Calling is at the Idea Generation, E2 (ideageneration.co.uk) from Friday until July 4. Admission free; open Mon-Fri
10am-6pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm