29 July 2024
An exclusive art collaboration between the pair has opened in Brighton
An exclusive art collaboration between the world-renowned DJ Carl Cox and the esteemed UK photographic artist Mark Vessey has opened in Brighton.
The exhibition, housed at Enter Gallery on Bond Street, spotlights a curated selection of key records from Cox's extensive vinyl collection, which surpasses 150,000 records and has significantly shaped his illustrious career. The artwork features some of the most iconic releases by artists such as Run DMC, Carrie Lucas, Fleetwood Mac, Duran Duran, Lil Louis, and Doug Lazy. The collection meticulously pairs each selected record with a narrative by Cox, elaborating on its personal and professional significance.
Vessey's work, renowned for its exploration and celebration of pop culture icons, is at the heart of this exhibition, showcasing a musical journey that spans from funk, soul, and disco to rave, techno, hip hop, electro and pop.
Vessey, whose artistic endeavours often delve into the icons of pop culture, expressed his admiration for Cox, stating it had been an honour to work with the DJ and delve into his vast archive.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Vessey remarked, “Carl Cox is unique in sewing together multiple generations through his passion for music. My hope in photographing them together is that they visually reflect his love and shared history back to us. I’m grateful to Carl for having trusted me to explore his vast collection of vinyl, which allowed me to create this artwork titled Carl.”
The gallery commented, "Many of these records played a pivotal role in (Cox's) early days as a mobile DJ and his rise to fame as the ‘Three Deck Wizard.’"
Carl Cox reflected, “Each record I chose has a story behind it, and it was very emotional choosing the records that helped shape my journey. Watching Mark work really makes me understand how you can look deeper into art and it makes me realise what I privilege and responsibility I have when sharing my love of music with the dancefloor."
