Rock 'n' Roll Mayhem

The Oasis photographs of Michael Spencer Jones

Saturday 23 April 2005 to Saturday 31 May 2005 10.30 am - 6.00 pm Thursdays - 7.00pm

We are often asked which rock and roll photographs from the last ten years are destined to become the icons of the future: the images that people will talk about in twenty years time, in the same breath as The Beatles Abbey Road, or Dylans Bringing It All Back Home and others. Michael Spencer Jones Oasis photographs have already booked their place. Beautifully produced in very small limited editions, Michaels photographs are already highly sought after. Oasis are one of the biggest bands on the planet and their early albums regularly make the all time best lists in music magazines. Michael was there at the beginning, taking the classic photographs that appeared on Definitely Maybe, (Whats The Story) Morning Glory? and Be Here Now, as well as a host of early single sleeves.

Rock 'n' Roll Mayhem

The Oasis photographs of Michael Spencer Jones
Each of Michaels Oasis album cover photographs is a carefully constructed set piece littered with symbols, in jokes and references. Well be unlocking all the secrets at the exhibition, which will combine instantly recognisable images with out takes and candid behind the scenes shots of Oasis at work and play. Some photographs have never been exhibited before and Michael is making these available exclusively to Snap clients. Michael will be at the exhibition all day on the opening Saturday, so please come along for a drink and a chat with him, and see these wonderful photographs for yourself. If you haven't been to our new enlarged gallery space at The Custard Factory, please do make the effort - you wont be disappointed. Guy White Gallery Director

Rock 'n' Roll Mayhem

The Oasis photographs of Michael Spencer Jones
Ensuring rarity and exclusivity
As an avid collector himself (with a fixation on Beatles first pressing vinyl) Michael was determined to create photographs for collectors that were both rare and exclusive. Faced with the luxury of an extensive archive of material, he has been incredibly selective in his choices of photographs to make available to collectors in the first place. For example, from the Definitely Maybe album cover shoot, only one colour photograph has been chosen for release.

Small edition sizes

Michael has deliberately kept edition sizes very small, and in addition, each selected image is only made available in one paper size. Michaels preferred choice has been to release photographs for collectors in worldwide limited editions of just 15 examples on 16 x 20 inch paper. Michael is reserving number 15 in each edition for his son, Alexander, so in practice, there are only 14 examples of each photograph available to purchase.

Stepped pricing
In common with many limited edition works, Michaels prices have an inbuilt step mechanism so that someone who purchases an early photograph in an edition can acquire it for significantly less than someone who buys a later number. Each one is signed and numbered on the front under the image and embossed with the official stamp of Michaels archive. The quality of the printing is exceptional - the black and white limited edition photographs are created by one of the countrys leading black and white specialist handprinters, Michael Spry, who is world renowned for his craft.

Supersize Supersonic
In recognition of the fact that collectors with big walls often ask about supersize photographs, Michael has selected a colour image from the Supersonic single sleeve to make available as a 36 x 36 inch photograph, in a limited edition of just seven examples. Again, it must be stressed that this image will not be offered in any other sizes.

Wonderwall
This image was "almost" used as the cover for Wonderwall. Michael recalls: "Noel had wanted a picture of a woman photographed within a picture frame. My initial feeling was that it may look a bit twee. So a plan was hatched without Noels knowledge whereby Liam would appear on the sleeve instead. Needless to say Liam was involved in the plan. So the following day I set up shop on Primrose Hill in London, close to the road, so as to give the best overall view of the park. Owen Morris the producer obligingly holding the picture frame whilst Liam posed. After a few minutes a black cab that was passing screeched to a halt and a guy started screaming at us through the cab window. He then got out of the cab still ranting and I began to think Oh my God who is this nutter? When I turned round I was dumbfounded to see that it was none other than Noel Gallagher himself who had accidentally stumbled across us on his way to Creation Records. He asked us what the hell we were doing and that Wonderwall was a love song! and that there is no way that our kid is appearing on the cover! and so with that the shoot was quickly aborted and was re-shot the following day this time using a girl."

Lenticulars The exhibition will also include two large scale lenticular prints. For the first one, Michael has reworked the image from the 'Definitely Maybe' album cover into a spectacular 3-D image, four feet square. The second lenticular features a seven image sequence from the infamous Cigarettes and Alcohol photo shoot. A lenticular is a carefully constructed three dimensional artwork that combines a number of different sequential interlaced photographs behind a single frame. Using a special lens that allows each image to be revealed in the desired sequence, the lenticular creates an illusion of movement because the image changes as the viewing angle alters - it is almost as if the photograph comes alive. They are like nothing you will have seen before. Owing to their sheer physical size, these are imposing pieces, and very exclusive - only seven examples of each lenticular are being made. If you have the wallspace to pull it off, then you should consider investing in one of Michaels striking lenticular pieces.

"The effect is breathtaking" The Times, November 2004

Rock 'n' Roll Mayhem

The Oasis photographs of Michael Spencer Jones

About Snap

Snap opened in The Custard Factory in 2004, and is one of the only galleries in the world to specialise in rare and exclusive rock and roll photography. We showcase the very best work by the cream of the photographers operating in the music genre from the fifties to the present day. Our mission is to bring you the things you always wanted but never knew you could get.
Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 6pm, Thursdays to 7pm. Any other times by appointment. Telephone 0121 224 7345 www.snapgalleries.com info@snapgalleries.com The Custard Factory website is at www.custardfactory.com

Snap Galleries 12-13 Gibb Square The Custard Factory Birmingham B9 4AA

Directions On foot, The Custard Factory is just a few minutes walk from The Bull Ring and Selfridges. From outside Selfridges, aim yourself downhill towards Digbeth and pick up some momentum. Head straight down Digbeth High Street and The Custard Factory is about a 5 minute walk, straight ahead. On your travels you will pass the bus station on your right and South Birmingham College on your left. Shortly after the College, you'll see a red brick building with a "Custard Factory" banner on it. You're almost there. Turn left when you get to the musical instrument shop and keep going about past the row of green shops - you'll come to a fountain and a row of blue fronted retail units - we are in the first one of those. We're the one with all the photographs. If you are in the car, drive down Digbeth High Street heading away from the city centre, and turn left at the traffic lights by The Old Crown Pub, into Heath Mill Lane. The car park ( pay and display ) is just after Air nightclub - the entrance is a collage of crushed cars on the right.