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‘They [the conservative elite] were overly terrified, and that somehow in the fluorescent pages of our magazine in which we dealt with revolutionary politics, drugs, sexuality, racism, trying to be much more candid about these matters and very very defined, I think at last they felt if they could shut us up, if they could stop Oz, that they could somehow stop the rebellion.’’ Richard Neville, ‘The Oz Trial, Innocents Defiled?’, BBC Radio 4, 17 May 1990
OZ magazine (London, 1967-1973), has come to be known as a publication that typified the Sixties, through its experimental approach to design, editorial and the lifestyle it depicted, often through its contributors whose lives became enmeshed in the publication as it gained popularity and notoriety.
The exhibition, We Are Watching: OZ in London, explores the creative output of a range of the magazine’s contributors over the six years that it was based in London, where it provided a voice to young journalists, artists and designers. This international network included Richard Neville, Martin Sharp, Felix Dennis, Jim Anderson, Robert Whitaker, Philippe Mora and Germaine Greer. Several other individuals were also fundamental in the success of OZ, their hard work unaccredited at the time, including Marsha Rowe and Louise Ferrier.
As well as focusing on the obscenity trial* against the editors that took place in 1971, the exhibition highlights many of the social and political issues that were addressed within the magazine. Through satire, serious journalism, art and design, OZ was part of the underground press that formed a voice against the establishment, raising awareness, and often controversially so, of issues such as race and gender prejudice, mistreatment of prisoners, homosexuality, and drug awareness.
Curated by Cherie Silver, the exhibition includes material from: the Richard Neville Papers at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (reprinted by kind permission of the Estate of Richard Neville); Felix Dennis Archive courtesy of James Birch and Barry Miles; Andrew Sclanders/BeatBooks.com; and the private collections of Marsha Rowe, Richard Adams, James Birch and Geoffrey Robertson. Material by Martin Sharp appears with the kind permission of the Estate of Martin Sharp.
The Reading Room is organised by Gaia Giacomelli, Chinmayi Swami, Max Jones, Maria Kobzareva, Paul Davey, and Ryan Blakeley, students from the Chelsea College of Arts MA Curating and Collections course. This space incorporates material from the British underground press, OZ Sydney and Spare Rib, with original and archival material from the private collection of Marsha Rowe, co-founder of the magazine, Spare Rib and the collection of Andrew Sclanders / BeatBooks.com.
*The OZ Obscenity Trial took place at the Old Bailey in 1971, where the three editors of OZ, Richard Neville, Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis were charged with conspiring to distribute an obscene magazine and intent to debauch and corrupt the morals of young children. It was the longest obscenity trial in British legal history. The editors were charged and gaoled but later acquitted on appeal.
A publication including original contributions from Jim Anderson, Philippe Mora and Marsha Rowe accompanies the exhibition.
OZ no. 5 appears in the exhibition with the help of the MA Conservation department at Camberwell College of Arts, Jocelyn Cuming, Craig Horsfall, Eleni Katsiani and their students.
Special thanks to Richard Adams, Jim Anderson, Stephen Bartley (Archivist at the Chelsea Arts Club), Caroline Coon, James Birch, Louise Ferrier, Mia Gubbay, Jonathon Green, Barry Miles, Philippe Mora, Tina Mickelthwaite, Geoffrey Robertson, Marsha Rowe, Andrew Sclanders / BeatBooks.com, Ben Whitaker, the Estate of Richard Neville, the Estate of Martin Sharp, the Felix Dennis Archive courtesy of James Birch and Barry Miles, and Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, University of Wollongong Historical & Cultural Collections (http://ro.uow.edu.au/ozlondon/).
This exhibition would not have been possible without the kind support and inspiration of Clytie Jessop (nee Lloyd-Jones) who sadly passed away in April this year.
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Publication
As with each exhibition at CHELSEA space, a new illustrated publication will accompany the show.
Press Information
For further information, images or to discuss interviews please contact:
Karen Di Franco or Cherie Silver at CHELSEA space via email info@chelseaspace.org or tel: 020 7514 6983
Notes to Editors
• Images and further information are available upon request
• About: CHELSEA space is a public exhibiting space, sited on the Millbank campus of Chelsea College of Arts, where invited art and design professionals are encouraged to work on experimental curatorial projects. See: www.chelseaspace.org
• In copy please refer to CHELSEA space and not ‘The Chelsea space.’
• Gallery opening times: Wednesday-Friday 11am-5pm and by appointment.
• Private view: Tuesday 13 June 2016, 6-8.30pm
• Admission: FREE
• Chelsea College of Arts is one of the world’s leading art and design institutions.
• Located at Millbank, next door to Tate Britain, Chelsea specialises in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Interior and
Textiles Design. Since its origins in the 19th century, the College has produced many of the greatest names in the
arts, including: Quentin Blake (illustrator and author) Ralph Fiennes (film and stage actor), Anish Kapoor (sculptor),
Steve McQueen, (artist), Chris Ofili (artist), Alan Rickman (film and stage actor), Alexei Sayle (comedian) and Gavin
Turk (sculptor).
Operating at the heart of the world’s creative capital, University of the Arts London is a vibrant international centre for innovative teaching and research in arts, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. The University is made up of six Colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Art. Renowned names in the cultural and creative sectors produced by the University include 12 Turner prize winners and over half of all nominees, 10 out of 17 fashion designers named British Designer of the Year, more than half of the designers showcased in London Fashion Week and 12 out of 30 winners of the Jerwood Photography Award.
