The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Joe Strummer

(1952-2002), Musician; co-founder and rhythm guitarist for The Clash

Joe Strummer (John Mellors)

Sitter in 3 portraits
Born in Ankara to a British diplomat, Joe Strummer (real name: John Graham Mellor) spent parts of his early childhood in Cairo, Mexico City and Bonn before boarding at a school in Surrey. He attended a several art schools in his early adulthood, but eventually dropped out and became a busker. In 1976, he co-founded legendary punk band The Clash and would be the band's lyricist, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist until their break-up in 1986. In the 1990s, Strummer collaborated with a succession of bands. He died suddenly in December 2002, aged 50, of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

The Clash (Nicky ('Topper') Headon; Mick Jones; Joe Strummer; Paul Gustave Simonon), by Pennie Smith - NPG x87825

The Clash (Nicky ('Topper') Headon; Mick Jones; Joe Strummer; Paul Gustave Simonon)

by Pennie Smith
bromide fibre print, 1977
NPG x87825

Joe Strummer, by Pennie Smith - NPG x127357

Joe Strummer

by Pennie Smith
bromide fibre print, December 1980
NPG x127357

Web image not currently available

Joe Strummer

by William Eggleston
pigment print, circa 1980, printed 2016
NPG P2074

Category

Groups

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Do, draw and make!

Do, draw and make!

From building dens to food faces – enjoy our Playful Portraits activities and find out about some brilliant people!

Get Creative

Healthcare Heroes

Activities for children and families inspired by three healthcare heroes from our Collection.

Learn together

Learning resources

Downloadable and web based resources to support learning at home linked to art, history, citizenship and literacy.

Get learning