Jamie Reid, Ragged Kingdom (Riot)

Jamie Reid (1947-2023) designed the Sex Pistols’ sleeves and posters, including ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘Never Mind the Bollocks’. His ransom-note lettering began at Suburban Press, the radical magazine he founded in 1970. In later life he was an honorary bard of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He also took part in direct action against the poll tax. Ragged Kingdom was the title of his installation at the Isis Gallery, London, in 2011, shown again in Los Angeles and Leeds in 2012.

A protester raises a ‘Pay No Poll Tax’ placard against smoke and flames. Over the photograph Reid prints eight-spoked wheels, orange octagons and a splash of blue. ‘Time For Magic’ is lettered in green across the dark sky. The wheel probably refers to the eight festivals of the druid year, a cycle Reid worked with in his later years.

Screenprint in colours on wove paper, image 99 x 68.5 cm. Signed, titled and numbered in black marker in the lower margin, ‘Ragged Kingdom’, ‘1/10’ and ‘Jamie Reid’, with his circled star sigil and a green crescent moon. A Roseberys, London, stock label is on the backboard. Framed in plain black, 103 x 73.5 cm. Subject to the Artist’s Resale Right.