Simon Henwood
Encyclopedia
Simon Henwood is a British
artist
, author
, film director
, and music video director
. Henwood first gained attention as a children's writer and later on for his paintings inspired by adolescence, as well as combining "darkness and hip together". He is best known for directing Kanye West
's "Love Lockdown
" and being the creative force behind Rihanna
's Rated R
album campaign. Henwood is in a relationship with Irish
singer-songwriter
Róisín Murphy
.
from Exeter College
in Devon
. Many of Henwood's paintings focus on the experiences and consequences of youth. His work has been showcased by London's Institute of Contemporary Arts
and Asprey Jacques, Manhattan's envoy enterprises, New York's Bronwyn Keenan Gallery, and Santa Monica's Richard Heller Gallery.
Henwood authored and illustrated a series of children's books that were published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including A Piece of Luck (1990) and The Troubled Village (1991). In 1993, Henwood developed an "illustrated periodical" named Purr. That same year, Henwood also founded a record label which issued releases by Iggy Pop
and Sonic Youth
. He produced and directed Alice, a short film scored by Barry Adamson
, and created a second magazine of the same name, which "chronicles how childhood is represented in art and the media". In 2001, Henwood created the animated series Johnny Pumpkin, which was in development with Sky One television in the United Kingdom.
Henwood is also known for directing music videos. He has worked with HSI London (previously known as Exposure Films) since 2004. Henwood has worked with a number of artists, such as Apollo 440
, Badly Drawn Boy
, Delays
, Devendra Banhart
, and Imogen Heap
. He directed Kanye West
's "Love Lockdown
" in 2008, which was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Best Special Effects in a Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
.
Pop singer Rihanna
enlisted Henwood as the creative director for 2009's Rated R
. He designed the logo and conceived the brand and styling of the album, videos and TV spots. He will also contribute to Rihanna's forthcoming tour, including the show's stage design, costumes and background visuals. Art publisher Rizzoli will release a photo book documenting Henwood’s work for the pop star in 2010, entitled Rihanna: The Last Girl on Earth.
Henwood also painted the cover of his girlfriend Róisín Murphy
's album Ruby Blue
and its EPs and singles, in addition to directing the music videos for "If We're in Love
", "Sow into You
" and "Movie Star
"
As illustrator
2003
2005
2006
2008
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, and music video director
Music video director
A music video director is driven by a given music track. These are called music videos and are then used as promotional tools for popular music singles...
. Henwood first gained attention as a children's writer and later on for his paintings inspired by adolescence, as well as combining "darkness and hip together". He is best known for directing Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's "Love Lockdown
Love Lockdown
"Love Lockdown" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 18, 2008 as the lead single of his studio album 808s & Heartbreak. Written and produced by West and musician Jeff Bhasker, it was premiered by West at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards prior to its release as a single...
" and being the creative force behind Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
's Rated R
Rated R
Rated R may refer to:In film:* R rating, a rating of the Canadian Home Video Rating System* R rating, a rating of the Motion Picture Association of America film rating system...
album campaign. Henwood is in a relationship with Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
.
Career
In 1986, Henwood received his Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Exeter College
Exeter College, Exeter
Exeter College is a tertiary college in the city of Exeter, Devon, England, providing further education for 16-18 year old students, including apprenticeships, A levels and the International Baccalaureate, as well as a range of courses for 14-16 year-olds, higher education and adult courses,...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. Many of Henwood's paintings focus on the experiences and consequences of youth. His work has been showcased by London's Institute of Contemporary Arts
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
and Asprey Jacques, Manhattan's envoy enterprises, New York's Bronwyn Keenan Gallery, and Santa Monica's Richard Heller Gallery.
Henwood authored and illustrated a series of children's books that were published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Farrar, Straus and Giroux is an American book publishing company, founded in 1946 by Roger W. Straus, Jr. and John C. Farrar. Known primarily as Farrar, Straus in its first decade of existence, the company was renamed several times, including Farrar, Straus and Young and Farrar, Straus and Cudahy...
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including A Piece of Luck (1990) and The Troubled Village (1991). In 1993, Henwood developed an "illustrated periodical" named Purr. That same year, Henwood also founded a record label which issued releases by Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
and Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
. He produced and directed Alice, a short film scored by Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
, and created a second magazine of the same name, which "chronicles how childhood is represented in art and the media". In 2001, Henwood created the animated series Johnny Pumpkin, which was in development with Sky One television in the United Kingdom.
Henwood is also known for directing music videos. He has worked with HSI London (previously known as Exposure Films) since 2004. Henwood has worked with a number of artists, such as Apollo 440
Apollo 440
Apollo 440 are an English band formed in Liverpool in 1990. Apollo 440 have written, recorded and produced four albums, collaborated with and produced other artists, remixed as Apollo 440 and as ambient cinematic alter-ego Stealth Sonic Orchestra, and created music for film, television,...
, Badly Drawn Boy
Badly Drawn Boy
Damon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
, Delays
Delays
Delays are an English indie band formed in Southampton, consisting of brothers Greg and Aaron Gilbert, Colin Fox and Rowly. The band's sound combines guitar and synths and features Greg Gilbert's distinctive falsetto lead vocals...
, Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
, and Imogen Heap
Imogen Heap
Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
. He directed Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's "Love Lockdown
Love Lockdown
"Love Lockdown" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 18, 2008 as the lead single of his studio album 808s & Heartbreak. Written and produced by West and musician Jeff Bhasker, it was premiered by West at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards prior to its release as a single...
" in 2008, which was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Best Special Effects in a Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 13, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, honoring the best music videos from June 19, 2008, to June 29, 2009. Comedian Russell Brand hosted the event for the second time in a row. The awards were held a few months after Michael...
.
Pop singer Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
enlisted Henwood as the creative director for 2009's Rated R
Rated R (Rihanna album)
Rated R is the fourth studio album by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, first released November 20, 2009, on Def Jam Recordings. The album is a musical distance from her previous effort Good Girl Gone Bad , which contained up-tempo and ballad-oriented songs, and it heavily incorporated pop and...
. He designed the logo and conceived the brand and styling of the album, videos and TV spots. He will also contribute to Rihanna's forthcoming tour, including the show's stage design, costumes and background visuals. Art publisher Rizzoli will release a photo book documenting Henwood’s work for the pop star in 2010, entitled Rihanna: The Last Girl on Earth.
Henwood also painted the cover of his girlfriend Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
's album Ruby Blue
Ruby Blue (album)
Ruby Blue is the debut solo album of Irish singer Róisín Murphy, released by Echo Records on 13 June 2005 . After she and Mark Brydon dissolved their electronic duo Moloko, Murphy began working with producer and musician Matthew Herbert, known for his musique concrète approach to music...
and its EPs and singles, in addition to directing the music videos for "If We're in Love
If We're in Love
"If We're in Love" is a song written and produced by Róisín Murphy and Matthew Herbert for Murphy's debut solo album Ruby Blue . It was released as the album's lead single in June 2005.-Music video:...
", "Sow into You
Sow into You
"Sow into You" is an electronica song written and produced by Róisín Murphy and Matthew Herbert for Murphy's debut solo album Ruby Blue, released in 2005. The song uses a metaphor of rain and harvesting for love and sex. It was released as the album's second single in October 2005 .-Critical...
" and "Movie Star
Movie Star
Movie Star, Inc. is a New York City-based manufacturer, marketer and seller of lingerie, sleepwear and other types of clothing. Organized in 1935 and formerly known as Sanmark Stardust, Inc., the company became Movie Star, Inc. in 1992. It was acquired by Frederick's of Hollywood in 2006, who sold...
"
Children's books
As author- The Clock Shop (ISBN 978-0-374-31380-7, 1989), published by Farrar, Straus and GirouxFarrar, Straus and GirouxFarrar, Straus and Giroux is an American book publishing company, founded in 1946 by Roger W. Straus, Jr. and John C. Farrar. Known primarily as Farrar, Straus in its first decade of existence, the company was renamed several times, including Farrar, Straus and Young and Farrar, Straus and Cudahy...
- A Piece of Luck (ISBN 978-0-374-35925-6, 1990), published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- The Troubled Village (ISBN 978-0-935008-10-4, 1991), published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- The Hidden Jungle (ISBN 978-0-374-33070-5, 1992), published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
As illustrator
- The King Who Sneezed by Angela McAllister (ISBN 978-0-688-08327-4, 1988), published by William Morrow and CompanyWilliam Morrow and CompanyWilliam Morrow and Company is an American publishing company founded by William Morrow in 1926. The company was acquired by Scott Foresman in 1967, and sold to Hearst Corporation in 1981. It was sold along to the News Corporation in 1999...
- The View by Harry Yoaker (ISBN 978-0-416-16312-4, 1991), published by Methuen
Art books
- White Kitten (ISBN 978-1-902053-04-2, 2000), published by Arts & Commerce
- Kido (2005), published by Funny Bones Editions
- Rihanna: The Last Girl on Earth (ISBN 978-0-8478-3510-2, 2010), published by Rizzoli
Music video filmography
2002- "You Were Right" - Badly Drawn BoyBadly Drawn BoyDamon Gough is an English alternative music singer/songwriter. He was born on 2 October 1969, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He grew up in the Breightmet area of Bolton, Lancashire, England....
2003
- "Dude Descending a Staircase" - Apollo 440Apollo 440Apollo 440 are an English band formed in Liverpool in 1990. Apollo 440 have written, recorded and produced four albums, collaborated with and produced other artists, remixed as Apollo 440 and as ambient cinematic alter-ego Stealth Sonic Orchestra, and created music for film, television,...
2005
- "If We're in LoveIf We're in Love"If We're in Love" is a song written and produced by Róisín Murphy and Matthew Herbert for Murphy's debut solo album Ruby Blue . It was released as the album's lead single in June 2005.-Music video:...
" - Róisín MurphyRóisín MurphyRóisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her... - "Sow into YouSow into You"Sow into You" is an electronica song written and produced by Róisín Murphy and Matthew Herbert for Murphy's debut solo album Ruby Blue, released in 2005. The song uses a metaphor of rain and harvesting for love and sex. It was released as the album's second single in October 2005 .-Critical...
" - Róisín MurphyRóisín MurphyRóisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her... - "Heard Somebody Say" - Devendra BanhartDevendra BanhartDevendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
2006
- "Hande YenerHande YenerHande Yener is a Turkish pop singer. Over the past decade, she has introduced different styles to the ever expanding Turkish pop music scenery. Each one of her albums has generated a lot of interest as well as anticipation due to the different styles, genres and rhythms that she incorporates into...
" - Kelepçe - "ValentineValentine (Delays song)"Valentine" is a song by Delays, released as the first single from their second album You See Colours in 2006.The music video received regular play on MTV and the single reached #23 in the UK charts...
" - DelaysDelaysDelays are an English indie band formed in Southampton, consisting of brothers Greg and Aaron Gilbert, Colin Fox and Rowly. The band's sound combines guitar and synths and features Greg Gilbert's distinctive falsetto lead vocals... - "HideawaysHideaway (Delays song)"Hideaway" is a song by Delays, released as the second and last single from their second album You See Colours.The single reached #35 in the UK charts when released in May 2006.- Track listing :...
" - DelaysDelaysDelays are an English indie band formed in Southampton, consisting of brothers Greg and Aaron Gilbert, Colin Fox and Rowly. The band's sound combines guitar and synths and features Greg Gilbert's distinctive falsetto lead vocals... - "HeadlockHeadlock (song)"Headlock" is a song by British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, from her 2005 album Speak for Yourself. It was the third single from Speak for Yourself, following "Hide and Seek" and "Goodnight and Go". Remixed for radio as 'Immi's Radio mix' and accompanied by a new all-vocal B-side, entitled "Mic...
" - Imogen HeapImogen HeapImogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
2008
- "Love LockdownLove Lockdown"Love Lockdown" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 18, 2008 as the lead single of his studio album 808s & Heartbreak. Written and produced by West and musician Jeff Bhasker, it was premiered by West at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards prior to its release as a single...
" - Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
External links
- Simon Henwood at the Music Video Database