Fans of the Scissor Sisters will no doubt be familiar with the cover from their latest album,
Night Work
. Perhaps slightly less known is the fact that the artwork for the album cover is actually a photograph taken by artist and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
The work, entitled "Peter Reed", from 1980, was chosen by lead singer of the band, Jake Shears, and had caused rumours to circulate that it was actually a self-portrait of the band member. As further singles are released from the Night Work album it is said that they too will contain covers depicting the work of Mapplethorpe, showing some dedication from the band who are now set to also curate a show of Mapplethorpe's work.
The exhibition will be held next year at the
Alison Jacque Gallery, where works by the artist can already be viewed and bought. The show will open in January and will be called "Filthy Gorgeous"; a call back to an earlier track by the Scissor Sisters which was released in 2004.
The exhibition is thought to explore the way in which Mapplethorpe has influenced younger generations of artist such as Matthew Barney and Gillian Wearing. With Jake Shears and guitarist Babbydaddy taking the reins on this one it should be interesting to see how it all turns out.
