Painter, illustrator, designer, author, and avid collector of curiosities. James Marsh’s art has been the perfect match to Talk Talk’s music ever since his design for their debut album in 1982.
Marsh's relationship with Talk Talk resulted in a stunning catalogue of imagery; a jewel in Marsh's already impressive and distinctive portfolio.
Back in December 2018, Marsh invited us into his museum-like home and studio on the south-east coast of England for a tour, and chat, before signing his first two limited editions published by Hypergallery.
Marsh had built a hugely successful career as an illustrator and designer in London, living in the capital for over 40 years, along with his wife Avril, before they moved down to the south coast in 2000.
His association with the music business began with Pye Records, then Decca, then with Alan Aldridge at Ink Studios. Recalling these days prompted Marsh to dig out a copy of Aldridge’s Beatles Illustrated Lyrics (for which he was a major contributor) and we reminisced for a while, leafing through the book.
Every room in the house is a little gallery. One salon-like room given over to elegant paintings and sculptures, another dedicated to a vast collection of ‘found’ objects acquired from car boot sales, junk shops or beach-combing.
The renovation of the house took over eighteen months and included a conversion of the second floor into an open-plan work-space; a stunning room with views to the sea.
Marsh’s love of music and books is in evidence wherever your eye roams, yet it is a peaceful and stimulating place in which to work.
We were also there for a signing session of two editions published by Hypergallery; cover art from the iconic Talk Talk debut album The Party’s Over and from their 1986 album Colour of Spring. Having been associated with the band since their beginning, Marsh's distinct style of illustration is very much a part of their legacy.
Hypergallery has subsequently worked with Marsh on two more Talk Talk prints, Laughing Stock and It's My Life, in anticipation of A Celebration of Talk Talk and Mark Hollis at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 26 Nov 2019, followed by four 'moth' prints from the singles artwork associated with Colour of Spring.
Hypergallery's exhibition of Marsh's work, entitled Flights of Fancy, was first mounted in 2021 at the Haddenham Arts Centre in Ely, Cambridgeshire and then at Show Off Gallery in Whitstable on the East Coast of the UK before coming home to the Hypergallery print room. Framed exhibition prints and publicity material available to host venues. Enquire here.