Win copies of a new book that collects the work of Massive Attack’s visual visionary Robert del Naja, from his graffiti heritage and personal practice to insight into the band’s iconic artwork.
Few bands have such an instantly recognisable visual style as Massive Attack. This is largely down to the vision of group member Robert del Naja, aka 3D, whose graffiti-influenced artworks have just been collected for a new book 3D and the art of Massive Attack, published by The Vinyl Factory.
Del Naja grew up in Bristol and was an active part of the city’s Wild Bunch era graffiti scene, something that he channelled into the artwork of Massive Attack, when forming the band with Grant Marshall in 1988. The pair's DIY ethos – which started with throwing warehouse parties and making flyers – is still a huge part of the band’s visual output to this day, despite industry conventions which frown upon artists creating their own artwork.
Digging through the band’s archive, the book features unseen images of 3D’s early graffiti, stencil work and paste ups, plus projects made in collaboration with Nick Knight, Tom Hingston, Judy Blame, United Visual Artists, and filmmaker Adam Curtis. In a particularly insightful interview, del Naja discusses his influences (which span from New York hip hop, Japanese comics, Basquiat and Warhol), the development of the band’s visual handwriting and the creative process behind many of their most influential covers.
The 300-page, 12”x12” book features a screen-printed cover and, in keeping with 3D’s DIY ethos, was designed by the man himself. The kind folks at The Vinyl Factory have furnished us with two copies of this exciting tome (worth £50 each) to give away to Grafik readers. Just send an email to giveaway@grafik.net with the subject line ‘3D’, and tell us which British city Del Naja formed Massive Attack in. Deadline is Monday 5 October 2015.
Please note that by entering this giveaway you are consenting for your email address to be added to our weekly newsletter subscriber list. Please unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive the newsletter.