Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Hey, Hey Mobile 1965 [detail]
Illustration for London Life magazine

LondonArt & Culture

A Colourful Character

Revisiting Ian Dury's pre-Rhythm Stick creativity at new exhibition...

If even half of what is written about Ian Dury on his Wikipedia page is true, then what a life he led. What? Oh come on, I can’t have read every proper official biography and autobiography on every arts personality in the entire history of human existence, can I? And it’s Monday morning, give me a break. Just for that I’m going to make you read it yourselves.

For those who couldn’t be bothered (shame on you), Dury had it all in front of him as a graphic designer and illustrator before he gave it all up for a career of fame and fortune as a successful musician, having studied at the Royal College of Art. It’s that very institution that’s holding the exhibition, Ian Dury: More Than Fair – Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972, proving the man was indeed a true artistic polymath. His work was informed by the influence of tutor and Sgt Pepper cover artist Sir Peter Blake, forming pop-art concoctions of black and white subjects married with psychedelically jarring backgrounds and clothing. See another side of the Blockhead until 1st September.

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Dany Bubbles c1963-66
Pencil and acrylic (framed) 29″ x 20″

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Exhibition View
courtesy, Royal College of Art

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Lee Marvin 1968
Pencil (unframed) 30″ x 22″

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Exhibition View
courtesy, Royal College of Art

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Nelly Hanoi c1963-66
Acrylic (unframed) 29″ x 20″

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Jemima Proust, 1969
Aquatec, sequins and varnish

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Exhibition View
courtesy, Royal College of Art

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Sir Bernard and Lady Docker 1966
Pencil and pastel (unframed) 24″ x 32″

Ian Dury, Paintings, Drawings and Artworks, 1961–1972

Tony Bennett 1965
Front cover for London Life magazine