Exploring the weird, wonderful worlds of Jamie Hewlett

From Tank Girl to Gorillaz — 25 years of Jamie Hewlett's work are catalogued for the first time in a new book by Taschen, looking at the artists' iconic style and legacy.

It doesn’t matter where you come from or how you first saw it – anyone can recognise Jamie Hewlett’s work from a distance. Juxtaposing hyper-detailed scenes with hollow-eyed, intricately dressed characters, the artist’s brain contains a multitude of universes that defy classification, teetering the line between comic books, fine art and performance.

Although Hewlett’s legacy has been widespread, be it via Gorillaz records, Saatchi exhibitions or Tank Girl comics, it has never been comprehensively catalogued – until now. Jamie Hewlett, published by Taschen, contains 25 years of the artists’ work, containing everything from finalised pieces, to drafts and projects that never saw the light of day.

PAGE.224.225.psd BillyFury.Flattened.psd

The book opens with a candid conversation between Hewlett, the renowned French photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino and the actress Emma de Caunes, who also happens to be Hewlett’s wife. They discuss longevity, big and small dicks, punk rockers, DC comics, and MAD Magazine.

The casual approach to the conversation is fitting with the rest of the book – it’s haphazard, not overly precious or hyper-complex, but filled with happiness and detail. Halfway through, talking about his characters, Hewlett says: “I like misfits. I like ugly people who are interesting. Ugly-looking people who dress well are more interesting to me.”

And it shows. The women he creates steer away from the hyper-femininity and traditional – instead, they exist in their own right. They are not solely decorative. Tank Girl, for example, was born in the creative unconscious of Jamie and Alan Martin during the Thatcher years, and came into the art world like a punch in the face. Gleefully bruised and battered, she drank, fucked, and ran through the Australian desert with her kangaroo boyfriend, Booga. The pages transported the reader into the mind of tank girl, who became an icon for misfit women all over the world.

PAGE.340.341.psd PAGE.444.445.psd

The book goes on to explore his other successful projects from the past 25 years. There’s Gorillaz, the only entirely manufactured band during the age of fake-reality popstars; heartfelt documentations like the Bangladesh series; and his latest projects, like giant tarot cards The Suggestionists, shown at the Saatchi in late 2015.

Ultimately what is incredible about Hewlett’s work is that it continuously defies definition and continues to expand itself without losing character. It’s clearly identifiable even when it changes medium. It borrows from all aesthetics and DIY cultures and creates something brand new – a dirty, gritty world of wires, cock shuttle ships, giant eyes and red-eyed beasts that a lot of us would love to live in.

001-424_JAMIE_HEWLETT_VA_LITHO_INT_04656.IND7JAMIE_HEWLETT_VA_INT_3D_04656Jamie Hewlett is out now, both living his life and in book form, via Taschen.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

 


You might like

Two women, one wearing a striped dress, the other a white jacket, pose against a backdrop of posters.
Music

Coming of age in New York’s ’70s punk heyday

I Feel Famous — Through photographs, club flyers and handwritten diary entries, Angela Jaeger’s new monograph revisits the birth of the city’s underground scene, while capturing its DIY, anti-establishment spirit.

Written by: Miss Rosen

A crowd of protesters holding placards and banners, including flags of Ireland, with "Defend the right to protest" and "Defend knee" written on them.
Activism

In photos: Hundreds gather outside court to protest Kneecap terror charge

‘Free Mo Charah’ — With drums, smoke and applause, protesters greeted the rapper outside court as he was released on unconditional bail.

Written by: Ella Glossop

A man with long curly hair and a beard wearing a green jacket against a dark blue background with "Analogue Appreciation" text in yellow.
Music

Analogue Appreciation: Joe Armon-Jones

All The Quiet (Part II) — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s keyboardist, producer and Ezra Collective member Joe Armon-Jones.

Written by: Joe Armon-Jones

Three smiling women wearing glamorous dresses and fur coats posing together.
Culture

The Getty Center’s first exclusively queer exhibition opens today

$3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives — Running until September, it features paintings, ephemera, video and photography to highlight LGBTQ+ histories, culture and people from 1900 to the present day.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Saturated green and white image of a person's face with text overlay stating "CAPITALISM IS EXPLOITATION, PERIOD"
Music

Yaya Bey: “Capitalism is exploitation, period”

do it afraid — Ahead of the release of her second 18-track odyssey in just over a single year, we caught up with the prolific singer, discussing the pitfalls of the music industry, European ‘voyeurism’ framing her previous album and breaking narratives set upon her by others.

Written by: Isaac Muk

A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black dress and making a peace sign gesture in front of a dark background.
Music

Nina Utashiro builds disquieting, macabre sonic worlds

Huck x Eastern Margins — We caught up with the Japanese-German rap experimentalist ahead of her performance at Huck’s SXSW London joint event with Eastern Margins.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...