NEW YORK – The Peter Golding Collection:Artworks was auctioned yesterday at Bonhams. The collection includes images for: The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton The Cult, The Sex Pistols, U2, Kiss, The Who, Alice Cooper, Quicksilver Messenger, Sly and the Family Stone, Ike and Tina Turner, Metallica and Guns and Roses.
A painting made by Rick Griffin, titled “Without a Net” for the 1990 European Tour sold for $114,000 USD. While aother wok made by Stanley Mouse and Alton Klley called Grateful Dead Terrapin Station sold for $112,000 USD.
The comprehensive sale of iconic items included three decades of paintings, original artwork, drawings, sketches and studies, original printing plates and poster sets, featuring legendary bands, concerts and events. The Collection presented works by the most influential artists in Rock and Roll Art.
The collection was owned by fashion designer and musician, Peter Golding, who built the collection after picking up a poster from a protest concert in Hyde Park, London in 1967, taking great care and enthusiasm amassing his extensive archive over the years. Synonymous with Stretch denim, Golding was part of the 60s fashion movement and created the first “Designer” Jean in 1970 and then his renowned ACE boutique in London’s Kings Road in the mid 70s-80s with its celebrity clientele of stage, screen and rock & roll.
Artworks by leading artists included: Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelly, Victor Moscoso, Gary Grimshaw, Randy Tuten, David Singer, Dennis Larkins, Wes Wilson, Michael English and Nigel Waymouth.
If further proof were needed as to the importance of this collection it is the fact that Peter Golding’s `Inspirational Times’ collection was a major lender of items to the Tate Liverpool’s “Summer of Love Exhibition” 2005 which then went on to important museums in Germany and Austria 2006 and then shown at the Whitney NYC in 2007.
RICK GRIFFIN
Extensive work by the late Rick Griffin, revered as the Grand Master of this art form was included in the sale. As psychedelic rock of the late 1960s became more intense, inspired by artists and bands like Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead, Griffin’s art for posters and album covers followed. Winged Eyeballs and skulls amongst many images began to feature in his work, as he also continued his cartoon and illustration commissions for Surfer and Zap Comics. Griffin said that he wanted his art to have the sort of heraldry found on family crests. It was for this reason that he continually used bold and powerful central imagery.
THE GRATEFUL DEAD
Artworks for the biggest band in US rock history, The Grateful Dead were well-represented throughout the sale. Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse with Alton Kelley were key figures in producing this work. Mouse-Kelley’s combination of the Grateful Dead’s skull and roses is arguably one of the most famous single visual images linked with any rock group. Dennis Larkins extensive preparatory artwork for their stadium tours was also included and expected to especially appeal to knowledgeable “Deadheads”!