Archives: Exhibitions

Following an enforced gap year in 2020 due to the Pandemic, the RAM Gallery returned in 2021 along with the Bloodstock Open Air festival itself. Thousands of fans took the opportunity for a bit of rest and respite from the rigours of the festival to enjoy a selection of art, photography, memorabilia, and more in the relative calm of the gallery.  

Official Iron Maiden photographer and author of the book ‘Iron Maiden: On Board Flight 666’ John McMurtrie made his RAM Gallery debut this year, exhibiting some of his award-winning portraits of rock and metal musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Metallica’s James Hetfield, and, of course, Iron Maiden. 

Also making his debut in 2021 was veteran photographer Matt Negus, known for both his live and studio work with a long list of rock and metal bands. In 2015, Matt joined the Bloodstock family, becoming the official photographer for the exclusive backstage tours offered by the festival’s Rock Society.

Also new for 2021 was Liam Brandon Murray, a fine art fashion artist with a difference. Liam sculpts wearable art ranging from jackets, shoes and dresses to hats and handbags. Inspiration comes from stately homes and their furnishings, and from alien/futuristic worlds, blurring the line between fine art sculpture and fashion. His debut RAM Gallery exhibit featured a mind-blowing throne/chair and examples of his garments. The throne in particular became an immediate gallery favourite, with a lucky few able to use it for a truly memorable photo opportunity! Liam is among those confirmed to return in 2022.

French artist Mathieu Nozieres had just one featured piece for his RAM Gallery debut, but what a piece it was! Measuring a whopping 60”x 60” ‘In The Court Of The Dragon’ is an oil on linen painting created for the cover of Trivium’s latest album of the same name.

Legendary album cover artist Mark Wilkinson (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Marillion and many, many more) has become a RAM Gallery regular, returning in 2021 with some of the dozens of pieces he created for former Marillion frontman Fish’s latest and final solo album ‘Weltschmerz’.

No RAM Gallery would be complete without the incredible work of guitar designer and builder Cynosure, whose creations have become as synonymous with the exhibition as those of gallery founder Paul Raymond Gregory. This year’s guitars were inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Ronnie James Dio, Eddie Van Halen, and Bloodstock headliner Devin Townsend. Some of Cynosure’s guitars from previous years were also on display. With Judas Priest as one of the headliners of Bloodstock 2021, the ‘Priest Wall’ of artwork and custom Cynosure guitars also made a welcome return.

Several of Paul Raymond Gregory’s outstanding album covers for Saxon were on display, along with the customary line-up of his Bloodstock artwork stretching right back to the festival’s beginning in 2001. Three lucky competition winners also had their creations featured in the gallery. All in all, 2021 showed the RAM Gallery continuing to go from strength to strength. Plans for 2022 are already well advanced, so watch this space for news!

RAM GALLERY ON LOCKDOWN

Following the success of previous exhibitions held each year since 2014, we are once again delighted to have the RAM Gallery take its place in Bloodstock’s stellar line-up of attractions. 

Showcasing a selection of art, photography, and memorabilia, it expands on past exhibitions, featuring work by Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory, himself an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album covers and monolithic pieces inspired by the legendary tales of JRR Tolkien.

We are delighted to present for the first time a selection of pieces by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin. For four decades Ross has been among the world’s foremost photographers, capturing iconic images of genre giants such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, and many more. 

Also making their Gallery debut this year we have Peter Sallai of Mortpaint Graphics and artist Danny Edwards. Peter is a Hungarian artist who has worked with many bands including the likes of WASP, Kataklysm, Korpiklaani, Crematory, Annihilator, Tyr, Mayhem, Powerwolf, Satyricon, Kreator and, most notably, Sabaton. Danny, meanwhile, although currently best known as a tattoo artist, has drawn and painted since childhood, and the selection of his work on display here marks his first every exhibition.

Of the returning artists, we are proud once again to present work by Paul Harries, renowned British photographer with a portfolio to rival the best snappers in the business, and last but by no means least we welcome back RAM regular Oliver Andrew of Cynosure Guitars with custom, specially-commissioned pieces which showcase his outstanding skills as a designer and luthier. These guitars are set to become future classics and for 2019 he has gone where few guitar builders ever could, creating pieces inspired by the headline acts for Bloodstock 2019, and the imagery and artwork of festival partners Hobgoblin.

As always, there will be a few other little surprises in store too!

Professionally hung and lit and housed in a specially constructed space, the RAM Gallery 2019 marks another important step in the goal of establishing a new permanent rock venue, with Paul Raymond Gregory returning to his roots as an artist and gallery owner in support of both art and music. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A vital hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the TRUE birthplace of metal.

Many of the artists will be on site again this year, so be sure to make a visit to the gallery part of your weekend at Bloodstock 2019

Following the success of the previous exhibitions held since 2014, we are once again delighted to have the RAM Gallery take its place in Bloodstock’s stellar line-up of attractions. 

Showcasing a selection of art and memorabilia, it expands on past exhibitions, featuring work by Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory, himself an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album covers and monolithic pieces inspired by the legendary tales of JRR Tolkien.

Making their Gallery debut this year we have celebrated metal photographer Ester Segarra with her brand new book ‘Ars Umbra – The Art of Ester Segarra’, and the rock legend that is Stephen ‘Krusher’ Joule with various pieces including original artwork created for Ozzy Osbourne.

Of the returning artists, we are proud once again to present work by Paul Harries, renowned British photographer with a portfolio to rival the best snappers in the business, Heathen Wax Works with their bespoke home-made decorative candles, Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier with his idiosyncratic and evocative images, and Mark Wilkinson, legendary rock artist with a who’s who of equally-legendary clients including Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

Last but by no means least we welcome back RAM regular Oliver Andrew of Cynosure Guitars with custom, specially-commissioned pieces which showcase his outstanding skills as an instrument imagineer. These guitars are set to become future classics and for 2018 he has once again excelled himself, creating pieces inspired by the headline acts for Bloodstock 2018 as well as US Southern rockers Molly Hatchet for whom Paul Raymond Gregory has painted many album covers.

Professionally hung and lit and housed in a specially constructed space, the RAM Gallery 2018 marks another important step in the goal of establishing a new permanent rock venue, with Paul Raymond Gregory returning to his roots as an artist and gallery owner in support of both art and music. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A vital hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the TRUE birthplace of metal.

Many of the artists will be on site again this year, so be sure to make a visit to the gallery part of your weekend at Bloodstock 2018

Following the success of the previous exhibitions held since 2014, we are once again delighted to have the RAM Gallery take its place in Bloodstock’s stellar line-up of attractions. 

Showcasing a selection of art and memorabilia, it expands on past exhibitions, featuring work by Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory, himself an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album covers and monolithic pieces inspired by the legendary tales of JRR Tolkien.

Making their Gallery debut this year we have Paul Harries, renowned British photographer with a portfolio to rival the best snappers in the business, Daniel P. Carter, host of BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show and also a talented artist, and Eliran Kantor, a Berlin-based artist and illustrator best known for creating album covers for Testament, Hatebreed, Sodom, Soulfly, Iced Earth and many more.

Emphasizing the links between music, imagery and the written word, the exhibition once again features the work of authors Lariyah Hayes with ‘Darkadya – The Book of Art From Below’ and Ramon Martos with ‘And Justice For Art – Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers’.

Of the returning artists, we are proud once again to present work by Christian Sloan Hall whose distinctive style has accompanied the soul-stirring music of Bloodstock headliner Amon Amarth (including the band’s vast stage backdrops), and graced many album covers and magazine features during the last decade. 

Last but by no means least we welcome back RAM regular Oliver Andrew of Cynosure Guitars with custom, specially-commissioned pieces which showcase his outstanding skills as an instrument imagineer. These guitars are set to become future classics and for 2017 he has excelled himself with not one but two creations:

‘The Saxon’ – Styled after the band’s logo, the Saxon guitar juxtaposes the mythology and history of the Viking age with raw British heavy metal attitude. Its design, reminiscent of a Viking shield, is built for the aural battlefield. Accompanied by steel-plating and Anglo-Saxon runes, this beast will conquer all in its path. 

‘The Wonderland’ – Takes you on a whimsical journey through the eyes of its eponymous character. Visually telling the story of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ through its features, the guitar is a landscape of imagination and symbolises the evolution of time. Prominent characters are personified in both obscure and clandestine manners.

Also included are Cynosure’s ‘Lemmy’ guitars from 2016.   

Professionally hung and lit and housed in a specially constructed space, the RAM Gallery 2017 marks another important step in the goal of establishing a new permanent rock venue, with Paul Raymond Gregory returning to his roots as an artist and gallery owner in support of both art and music. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A vital hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the TRUE birthplace of metal.

The Rock and Metal (RAM) is a creative collective operating within the Art and Entertainments sectors, and Fantasy, Rock and Heavy Metal genres.

Following the tremendous success of the exhibitions in 2014 and 2015, we are once again delighted to have the RAM Museum take its place in Bloodstock’s stellar line-up of attractions. 

Showcasing a selection of art and memorabilia, it expands on the previous years’ exhibitions, featuring work by Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory, himself an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album covers and monolithic pieces inspired by the legendary tales of JRR Tolkien.

On December 28, 2015, the world of rock and metal was robbed of one its true icons with the passing of Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister, Motörhead founder and frontman, gentleman, scholar, larger-than-life party animal, and the very embodiment of rock’n’roll. In memory of the great man, we present ‘The Lemmy Wall’ as a token of respect and admiration for a true pioneer and a powerhouse performer of the music that unites us all. 

We are proud to present work by celebrated artist Christian Sloan Hall whose distinctive style has accompanied the soul-stirring music of Amon Amarth (including one of the band’s vast stage backdrops), and graced many covers and features in the pages of Metal Hammer during the last decade.  

Alongside his ‘day job’ drumming in Gojira, Mario Duplantier has spent much of his life drawing and painting, gaining particular inspiration from his travels with the band. Ink, old paintings, and even garbage are just some of the media he employs, and we’re pleased to include some of his abstract, surrealistic work in this year’s selection. 

RAM regular Oliver Andrew of Cynosure Guitars makes a welcome return, with custom, specially-commissioned pieces which showcase his outstanding skills as an instrument imagineer. These guitars are set to become future classics.

Emphasizing the links between music, imagery and the written word, the exhibition once again features the work of photographers and authors. New for 2016 are works by Lariyah Hayes (‘Darkadya – The Book of Art From Below’) and Peter Nahum (Image Thief photography), while returning from 2015 are Ramon Martos with his book ‘And Justice For Art – Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers’, and Alison Richards of OATH Photography.

As part of the many exciting developments planned for the coming months we are also pleased to announce the RAMMPIT-UP initiative, an undergraduate programme operating in partnership with select universities to encourage the development of up and coming photographers who can gain valuable experience capturing and documenting the dynamic worlds of the festival environment. 

Professionally hung and lit and housed in a specially constructed space, the RAM Museum 2016 marks another important step in the goal of establishing a new permanent rock venue, with Paul Raymond Gregory returning to his roots as an artist and gallery owner in support of both art and music. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A vital hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the TRUE birthplace of metal.

Following the success of 2014, Bloodstock Open Air is delighted to announce that the Rock and Metal (RAM) Gallery will once again be part of the festival’s line-up of attractions. 

Showcasing a selection of art and memorabilia, the exhibition will expand on last year’s event, and will feature work by Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory, himself an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album sleeves and monolithic pieces inspired by the writings of JRR Tolkien. 

Returning this year is the amazing guitar maker Cynosure. Working to re-define the guitar, not just as a functional instrument, but as a working, playable piece of art, he will present several of his unique creations including the RAM Guitar, specially commissioned by Paul Raymond Gregory.

Renowed artist Mark Wilkinson will also have works on display. Mark is the mastermind behind iconic albums sleeves for Marillion, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and The Darkness, amongst others. 2015 marks the 30^th anniversary of Marillion’s third album ‘Misplaced Childhood’, so Mark’s inclusion in the gallery is particularly apt. 

Mark’s website is www.the-masque.com 

Emphasizing the links between music, imagery and the written word, the exhibition will also feature the work of photographers and authors. Fiaz Farrelly and Alison Richards will both be displaying a selection of their dynamic rock photography, while Ramon Martos – author of ‘…And Justice For Art – Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers’ – and Alex Lewis – author of ‘J.R.R.Tolkien: Codemaker, Spy-master, Hero’ – will also be represented. Ramon’s book tells the tales behind some of metal’s best-known album sleeves while Alex’s work on Tolkien brings together Paul Raymond Gregory’s own Tolkien-inspired creations and the enormous influence that The Lord Of The Rings and Tolkien’s other writings have had on metal music. 

Professionally hung, lit and housed in a specially constructed space, the exhibition marks another step in the long term goal of establishing a new permanent rock venue, with Paul returning to his roots as an artist and gallery owner in support of both art and music. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A true hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the true birthplace of metal.

The Bloodstock Open Air team is delighted to announce the addition of a major art exhibition to the festival for 2014. Christened the Rock and Metal (RAM) Gallery, the exhibition is a permanent addition to the festival and will provide a showcase for a varying selection of rock-related art and memorabilia. The concept came from Bloodstock co-founder Paul Raymond Gregory who is also an acclaimed artist with an extensive body of work which includes many famous album sleeves and monolithic pieces inspired by the writings of JRR Tolkien. It was 1983 when Paul received his first album cover commission – Saxon’s ‘Crusader’ which was released the following year – so launching the RAM Gallery on the 30^th anniversary of Paul’s entry to the metal world is auspicious indeed!

This year’s inaugural event will include all the original Bloodstock artwork going right back to the first indoor festival in 2001, alongside a substantial selection of Paul’s album art including Saxon’s latest release ‘Sacrifice’. Representing Paul’s Tolkien work, there will also be a large triptych inspired by The Silmarillion which will be presented in a bespoke hand-carved frame created by master framer John Davis. Although John has framed a great deal of Paul’s other work, the triptych features the first frame actually designed by Paul himself. 

The exhibition will also exhibit some  amazing guitars created by Cynosure Guitars including a custom built guitar for Bloodstock. Paul painted a guitar for Saxon’s Paul Quinn, the artwork was inspired be Saxon’s album cover ‘Unleash the beast’ which Paul also painted. In addition, Paul will be signing copies of his recently published book ‘Beyond Time And Place’, which showcases work from throughout his career.

The original Bloodstock indoor festival featured a small art exhibition, but this new venture will be on an altogether grander scale, professionally hung and lit and housed in a specially constructed space extending to approximately 1300 square feet.

Ultimately, it is hoped that this exhibition will mark the first step on the road to establishing a permanent rock venue under the Bloodstock banner. The proposed venue would include a live music space with bar, rehearsal and recording facilities, and a permanent exhibition space. A true hub for British rock and metal in the heart of the Midlands, the TRUE birthplace of metal.