Reasons to Be Cheerful
Encyclopedia
Reasons to be Cheerful is the first book about the influential British visual artist Barney Bubbles
(July 1942 – November 1983).
Described in The Sunday Times as "fascinating and definitive", Reasons to be Cheerful is written by Paul Gorman
and contains close to 600 images, many rare and previously unpublished, including photographs, working sketches, artist notebooks and original artwork.
According to The Word
,, Gorman's book is "a glorious tribute", The PiX hails it as "a lavishly illustrated celebration" and design blog Ace Jet 170 as "the most exciting publication this year".
The book also features an essay by Peter Saville, a foreword by Malcolm Garrett
and an introduction by Billy Bragg
.
Among those interviewed for the book are college friends, colleagues from Conran Design, OZ
and Friends/Frendz, Jake Riviera
, Dave Robinson
, Nik Turner
, Will Birch
, Nick Lowe
, Rat Scabies
, Derek Boshier
, Rebecca & Mike, Neil Spencer, Justin de Blank, Caramel Crunch, Diana Fawcett, Brian Griffin, Chris Gabrin, Bob Bromide, family members, and friends.
Bubbles' workmate John May describes the book as "extremely fine and timely" and continues: "Paul Gorman has thoroughly and scrupulously documented Barney's life and times in this new publication which should stand for many years as the seminal work. For those of us who knew him, the book will bring back memories of the impish delight Barney took in his friends and colleagues, his electric enthusiasm for his work, his constant innovations and unending search for the new and above all his inspiring and fun-filled presence.
"For those coming fresh to his work, particularly young artists, illustrators and graphic designers, they will find a huge source of inspiration and marvel at the effort and industry involved in achieving many of his finest artworks in that pre-digital, hands-on age of yore."
Rick Poynor
, British writer and expert on design, graphic design, typography and visual culture writes in a review of the book for Design Observer
, "Bubbles badly needed a monograph and now, finally, he has one, Paul Gorman’s Reasons to be Cheerful: The Life and Work of Barney Bubbles. Gorman has pulled off a feat no one else has managed and I wish I liked the book more."
"Unfortunately, he doesn’t know enough about the history, culture and practice of graphic design to analyze the visual aspects of Bubbles’ work with any precision or nuance, or to locate him with authoritative detail on the maps of British and international graphic design. The book continually asserts BB’s brilliance without explaining it convincingly."
"The haphazard placement of images in Reasons to be Cheerful, far from where they are mentioned, is a pain: the book is not well designed."
Reasons to be Cheerful is published by independent British imprint Adelita
.
Barney Bubbles
Colin Fulcher aka Barney Bubbles was a radical English graphic artist, whose work primarily encompassed the disciplines of graphic design, painting and music video direction. He is most renowned for his distinctive contribution to the graphic design associated with the British independent music...
(July 1942 – November 1983).
Described in The Sunday Times as "fascinating and definitive", Reasons to be Cheerful is written by Paul Gorman
Paul Gorman
Paul Gorman is an English writer.-Career:From 1978, Gorman worked on weekly news for trade publications. In 1983, Gorman won the Periodical Publishers Association award for campaigning journalism for a series of investigative food industry articles and in 1990 was appointed west coast bureau chief...
and contains close to 600 images, many rare and previously unpublished, including photographs, working sketches, artist notebooks and original artwork.
According to The Word
The Word
The Word may mean:in bookstores:*The Word Bookstore, a philosophy and poetry bookstore in Montreal*Word , a Christian bookstore chain in Australiain the Christian faith:*The Bible*Christ the Logos...
,, Gorman's book is "a glorious tribute", The PiX hails it as "a lavishly illustrated celebration" and design blog Ace Jet 170 as "the most exciting publication this year".
The book also features an essay by Peter Saville, a foreword by Malcolm Garrett
Malcolm Garrett
Malcolm Garrett is a British graphic designer, who has worked for music artists such as Simple Minds, Magazine, Duran Duran and Peter Gabriel...
and an introduction by Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
.
Among those interviewed for the book are college friends, colleagues from Conran Design, OZ
Oz
oz. is a common abbreviation for the ounce. It may also refer to:-Arts and entertainment:In The Wizard of Oz:* Land of Oz, setting* Wizard , character- Film and television :* Oz , a HBO-produced prison drama...
and Friends/Frendz, Jake Riviera
Jake Riviera
Jake Riviera is a music business entrepreneur best known for his management of such performers as Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe and as co-founder of pioneering British indie label Stiff Records.Riviera was in school bands and local groups in north-west London in the 60s, and became road manager of...
, Dave Robinson
Dave Robinson
Richard David Robinson is a former professional American football player in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins.-Early life:...
, Nik Turner
Nik Turner
Nik Turner is a British musician, best known as a founding member of space rock pioneers Hawkwind. Turner plays saxophones, flute, sings and is a composer...
, Will Birch
Will Birch
Will Birch is an English music journalist, songwriter, record producer and drummer.-Career:Birch played drums in various bands in the Southend area before helping to form The Kursaal Flyers in 1973...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Rat Scabies
Rat Scabies
Christopher Millar , better known by his stage name Rat Scabies, is a musician best known for his tenure as the drummer for The Damned....
, Derek Boshier
Derek Boshier
Derek Boshier is a British pop artist works in various media including painting, drawing, collage, photography, film and sculpture....
, Rebecca & Mike, Neil Spencer, Justin de Blank, Caramel Crunch, Diana Fawcett, Brian Griffin, Chris Gabrin, Bob Bromide, family members, and friends.
Bubbles' workmate John May describes the book as "extremely fine and timely" and continues: "Paul Gorman has thoroughly and scrupulously documented Barney's life and times in this new publication which should stand for many years as the seminal work. For those of us who knew him, the book will bring back memories of the impish delight Barney took in his friends and colleagues, his electric enthusiasm for his work, his constant innovations and unending search for the new and above all his inspiring and fun-filled presence.
"For those coming fresh to his work, particularly young artists, illustrators and graphic designers, they will find a huge source of inspiration and marvel at the effort and industry involved in achieving many of his finest artworks in that pre-digital, hands-on age of yore."
Rick Poynor
Rick Poynor
Rick Poynor is a British writer on design, graphic design, typography and visual culture. He began as a general visual arts journalist, working on Blueprint magazine in London. After founding Eye magazine , which he edited from 1990 to 1997, he focused increasingly on visual communication...
, British writer and expert on design, graphic design, typography and visual culture writes in a review of the book for Design Observer
Design Observer
Design Observer is a website devoted to a broad range of design topics centered on graphic design, communications arts, print, typography and criticism. The content of the site is composed of short essays and articles...
, "Bubbles badly needed a monograph and now, finally, he has one, Paul Gorman’s Reasons to be Cheerful: The Life and Work of Barney Bubbles. Gorman has pulled off a feat no one else has managed and I wish I liked the book more."
"Unfortunately, he doesn’t know enough about the history, culture and practice of graphic design to analyze the visual aspects of Bubbles’ work with any precision or nuance, or to locate him with authoritative detail on the maps of British and international graphic design. The book continually asserts BB’s brilliance without explaining it convincingly."
"The haphazard placement of images in Reasons to be Cheerful, far from where they are mentioned, is a pain: the book is not well designed."
Reasons to be Cheerful is published by independent British imprint Adelita
Adelita (imprint)
Adelita is an independent United Kingdom book publishing imprint which specialises in design, fashion, music, photography, art and film.The publisher's founder and owner Jenny Ross named the company after the soldaderas who fought in the Mexican Revolution...
.
External links
- "Reasons To Be Cheerful: The Life & Work Of Barney Bubbles" Publisher page about the book.
- Barney Bubbles: Optics and Semantics Review of the book by Rick PoynorRick PoynorRick Poynor is a British writer on design, graphic design, typography and visual culture. He began as a general visual arts journalist, working on Blueprint magazine in London. After founding Eye magazine , which he edited from 1990 to 1997, he focused increasingly on visual communication...
at Design ObserverDesign ObserverDesign Observer is a website devoted to a broad range of design topics centered on graphic design, communications arts, print, typography and criticism. The content of the site is composed of short essays and articles...
. - The sleeve designs of Barney Bubbles - Times Online Review of the book by Rob Hughes.