> "ISLAND LIFE: ISLAND RECORD'S 50th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

A major multimedia exhibition of over 300 images, film, video, soundtracks and artefacts associated with or generated by Island Records since its first record release in 1959.

Chris Blackwell founded the Island label in Kingston, Jamaica in 1959 with capital of just £1000. Relocating to London in the early 60s Blackwell built the most diverse and enviable back catalogue of any independent record label in history.

From Island's early Jamaican roots in ska and rock-steady, through the label's expansion to become the cutting edge of progressive rock in the late 60s, and then on to the signing of such international superstars as Bob Marley and U2, Blackwell brought to Island a unique vision and passion which still informs the label's approach to this day.The Island label has been responsible for the careers of some of the biggest stars in music including: U2, Bob Marley, Cat Stevens, Traffic, Free, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Toots & The Maytals, John Martyn, Marianne Faithfull, Aswad, Tom Waits, Third World, Roxy Music, Robert Palmer, the B52s, Sly & Robbie, Melissa Etheridge, The Slits, Steel Pulse, Grace Jones, Pulp, Baaba Maal, Tricky, Amy Winehouse, PJ Harvey, Portishead and Florence & The Machine.

With moody lighting and an ambience of a nightclub, the exhibition is divided into twelve separate zones: Out of Jamaica, the Pink label, Season of the Witch, Glitterball, Roots-rock Reggae, Singular Voices, and The New Millennium. Each zone features a film - displayed in London on giant screens.

The exhibition contains large laminated panels of artwork, graphics and photography that mirror the course of Island, always the most stylish of all record labels. In addition to work by Adrian Boot, other photographers featured include Jean-Paul Goude, Anton Corbijn, Gered Mankowitz, Keith Morris, and Brian Cooke.

Island life premiered at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in London's Soho from Friday 22nd May 2009 to Wednesday 17th June 2009. It is available to Australian and New Zealand from January 2010.

To find out more about the exhibition, please visit: http://www.island50.com/pages/exhibition

Please contact Write Angle if you want to know more about any of the exhibitions detailed in these pages, or if you have an exhibition project that may be of interest to Australian museums, galleries or festivals.