Jamie Reid

Jamie Reid was born in 1952. He is a modern British artist whose work, features letters cut from newspaper headlines in the style of ransom notes. He is best known for his works with the Sex Pistols album  "God Save The Queen" based on a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II.

The theme of this piece focuses on rebellion conveyed, in how the picture is of the queen, which has been vandalized, with expressive, vulgar filled graphic design.  The theme is communicated to the audience further, through how the image is presented in an informal manner, parallel to what the queen stands for. It is almost disrespectful, creating an aggressive advertisement of the product, oblivious of social standings and hierarchies.

The use of the text “GOD SAVE THE QUEEN” in ransom note form creates playfulness to the idea of the traditional Queen.  Despite the rebellious theme, the artist manages to put a cross a sense patriotism in his work, through the use of the flag, sending a message to the audience that it purely British artists in the album.

The layout and design of the art piece influences the effect it has on the audience. The use of bright colors draws attention to the cover design making more people interested. The rips in the queen’s face, cleverly mixed with a black and white colour base, portray the album to be aimed more at the rebellious youthful market.

 After my analysis it seems as though there was not that much techniques and methods used to create it. Scanning and photography was used to obtain the picture of both the Queen and Union jack Flag. Basic rip, cut and paste method were used to give the design that rebellious, fun and informal look. This cover was made around the 70’s and 80’s, where rebellion was the craze people were making discoveries, fighting the law and music was making surge in interest, especially amongst the young people.