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Peter Saville

1 of 2 portraits of Peter Saville

© Wolfgang Tillmans

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Peter Saville

by Wolfgang Tillmans
chromogenic print, 2002
24 in. x 20 in. (610 mm x 508 mm) overall
Purchased through the Deloitte Acquisition Fund, 2003
Primary Collection
NPG P1010

On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Wolfgang Tillmans (1968-), Artist. Artist or producer of 3 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This photograph by Wolfgang Tillmans was selected to illustrate the preface to the book Saville designed to coincide with his retrospective exhibition at the Design Museum, London (2003), Designed by Peter Saville.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • 100 Photographs, 2018, p. 127 Read entry

    Peter Saville (b.1955) has been a pivotal figure in design and style culture. He designed record sleeves for Factory Records in the late 1970s and is best known for his album-cover artwork for Joy Division and New Order. He has also produced iconic images for bands such as Roxy Music and Suede, ground-breaking fashion campaigns for Yohji Yamamoto and Stella McCartney, and has collaborated in several art projects. This photograph by German-born Wolfgang Tillmans (b.1968) shows the designer at ease and in control of his surroundings - almost like a snapshot, moments that are revealing only in their spontaneity.

  • Howgate, Sarah; Nairne, Sandy, A Guide to Contemporary Portraits, 2009, p. 11 Read entry

    Peter Saville (b. 1955) has been a pivotal figure in design and style culture since his collaboration with Joy Division as co-founder of Factory Records in the late 1970s, and is one of few graphic designers to become a household name. As a chronicler of contemporary life in his photography, Wolfgang Tillmans makes the ordinary and everyday appear extraordinary, as in this portrait of the luxuriously robed and casually posed Saville. Tillmans works collaboratively with his sitters, allowing himself to become a participant in the scene. This portrait was selected to illustrate Designed by Peter Saville, published to coincide with his retrospective at the Design Museum, London (2003).

  • Nairne, Sandy; Howgate, Sarah, The Portrait Now, 2006, p. 107 Read entry

    Peter Saville, one of the few graphic designers to become a household name, is here depicted in the manner of refined coolness that he is known for. Tillmans works collaboratively with his sitters, allowing himself to become a participant in the scene. While some portraitists seek to reveal subtle pyschological nuances in their sitters, Tillmans instead strives to convey a direct experience. His portraits are like snapshots, moments that are revealing only in their spontaneity. Tillmans often depicts his subjects in control of their surroundings, as in this portrait of the luxuriously robed and casually posed Peter Saville.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 2002back to top

Current affairs

2002 was an eventful year for the Royal Family, highlighted by the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, but marred by the death of Princess Margaret, followed just three months later by the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at the age of 101 (making her the longest lived royal in British History).

Art and science

The relationship between two of the greatest modern masters is celebrated in Tate Modern's blockbuster exhibition Matisse Picasso. By exhibiting their works side-by-side, the show revealed the relationship between the two artists from 1906-54.
The 'Party at the Palace' concert in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee brings together stars from the last 50 years of Pop: Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Brian Wilson, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne and Elton John.

International

Terrorist bombing attacks on the Island of Bali in Indonesia leave 202 people dead, including 25 Britons. The three attacks took place in a bar, outside a nightclub and outside the United States consulate, and were aimed at foreign tourists, although many locals were also killed or injured. The Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah were found guilty of perpetrating the attacks.

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