MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: WW GALLERY

WW Gallery presents We Love 77, WW Gallery presents We Love 77, a 1977 Art & Music event in London - 77 paintings of 77 punk bands by artist duo Sardine & Tobleronian, chronicling the evolution of punk rock, with special appearances from the legendary Don Letts and punk rock icon Poly Styrene of X-ray Spex, plus screenings of major punk documentaries, surprise gigs and many of the featured musicians in attendance at the London launch.

This is the first major UK solo exhibition for Sardine & Tobleroni, who describe their practice as ‘Conceptual Art Brut’. Sardine & Tobleroni were inspired to embark on their series in 2005 when Mojo ran a special Punk Issue called 77 Punk Smashers. The paintings include The Clash, X-ray Spex, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Buzzocks, MC5, The Stooges, Patti Smith, New York Dolls, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sham 69, The Damned, Joy Division and Black Flag, to name a few.

For many 1977 was the definitive year of Punk, but this exhibition also features influential bands from the early American precursors like The Stooges, to contemporary bands like the Libertines. The result is the first art exhibition of its kind and a monumental tribute by the artists to one of the most exciting eras in the history of popular culture.

To launch the exhibition, British film director and musician Don Letts - original house DJ at the Roxy, where the first Punks congregated - will play a set, and Poly Styrene, often described as the voice of 77, will be introducing her film X-ray Spex Live at the Roundhouse 2008. To give further context to the paintings, there will be a series of documentary screenings, including The History of the Clash, Don Letts’ PUNK: attitude, Zillah Minx’s She’s a Punk Rocker UK and much more.

Diary of events

Launch Fri 19 Feb 5-10pm (attendance by rsvp only to rsvpwwgallery@gmail.com)
5-6.30pm Press/Collectors Preview
6.30-7pm Curators Debra Wilson & Chiara Williams introduce the show and artists Sardine & Tobleroni
7-8pm DJ set with legendary musician and film director Don Letts
8-9pm Punk rock icon Poly Styrene of X-ray Spex introduces her film X-ray Spex Live at the Roundhouse London 2008

Film Screenings
Sat 20 Feb 2pm PUNK: attitude a film by Don Letts (Part 1) (courtesy of Fremantlemedia Ltd)
Sun 21 Feb 2pm The History of the Clash (courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd)
Sat 27 Feb 2pm PUNK: attitude a film by Don Letts (Part 2) (courtesy of Fremantlemedia Ltd)
Sun 28 Feb 2pm X-ray Spex live at the Roundhouse London 2008 (courtesy of Future Noise Music Ltd)

Time OutFirst Thursdays 4 March 6-9pm
6.45pm Screening of Zillah Minx's She's A Punk Rocker UK
7.30pm Q&A with director Zillah Minx, lead singer of 70s punk band Rubella Ballet
8.00pm Ginette Baker Q&A and reading from her new book It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time: Memoirs of a Rock Star's Daughter 1974 – 1987

Closing Party Saturday 20 March 5-10pm
Final celebration with music and surprise guests
Shock & Soul We Love 77 Fashion Show (one-off 1977-inspired designs by Happy Harriet & Oops. Vintage pieces by Shock & Soul. Styled & directed by Natalie Farouz)
Auction of We Love 77 collectables & fashion
Draw for the We Love 77 MC jacket (tickets on sale throughout the show)
Last chance to see the show - Sunday 21 March 12-6pm

Location: The Merchant's Hall, 46 Essex Road, London N1 8LN
Dates: 20 Feb – 21 March 2010

For further information, please contact Chiara Williams or Debra Wilson at wwgallery@gmail.com or 07531342128 or visit http://www.wilsonwilliamsgallery.com