Peter Doig, one of the world’s most renowned artists working today, will release a new limited edition print depicting influential dub poet and activist Linton Kwesi Johnson, to help raise vital funds for the George Padmore Institute in North London. Exclusively available from Paul Stolper Gallery in London from 9 November, proceeds from sales of the print will go towards supporting the Institute’s urgent building repairs, helping to secure its future.
Established in 1991, the George Padmore Institute (GPI) is an archive, educational research and information centre housing materials and documents relating mainly to black communities of Caribbean, African and Asian descent, in post-war Britain and continental Europe. Since the GPI was founded as an independent charity in 1991, it has been located at 76 Stroud Green Road, London. It has also been the home of legendary publishing house and book shop New Beacon Books since 1973. The historic building currently faces major structural issues and an emergency fundraising campaign was launched this year to protect the future of the organisation.
Doig’s print is a stunning portrait of Linton Kwesi Johnson depicted, in his trademark hat, mid-performance. Rendered in muted blues, Johnson’s face is outlined by the text ‘Brixton Ritzy’, referencing the iconic South London venue where Johnson performed in 1980. A long term fan of Linton Kwesi Johnson, Doig’s print evokes the hand-painted posters made for his studiofilmclub series.
For Desert Island Discs, Doig selected ‘Want Fi Goh Rave’ by Linton Kwesi Johnson as one of his most treasured tracks; stating that:
'The track that I’ve chosen is one that I think remains as fresh today as it was when I first heard it back in 1979.'
It was in that year that Doig moved to London.
'I was very interested in Punk and particularly Post-punk music, and that was really the draw to come to London.'
The idea for the print originated in March 2023, when Paul Stolper Gallery presented ‘The Wisdom Man’, a group exhibition acknowledging Linton Kwesi Johnson as a pivotal figure in contemporary poetry and culture featuring multiple works by artists including Peter Blake, Chila Kumari Singh Burman and Denzil Forrester.
Doig’s exclusive print, which will be released in an edition of 150, will be on display at Paul Stolper Gallery in London on 9th November and available to purchase directly from the gallery.
