SPILL BOOK REVIEW: JOHN FOXX – ELECTRICITY AND GHOSTS: THE VISUAL ART OF JOHN FOXX

JOHN FOXX – ELECTRICITY AND GHOSTS: THE VISUAL ART OF JOHN FOXX

ROCKET 88 BOOKS

BOOK REVIEW BY AARON BADGLEY

Before John Foxx was John Foxx, he was Dennis Leigh. As Dennis Leigh (his real name), he attended Harris College Of Art in Preston and then Royal College Of Art in London. He formed his first band while in Preston, however it was while he was attending Royal College Of Art that he became interested in electronic music, and more experimental music. Little did Leigh know that his career would be in music. However, he never lost interest in art. In 1985 he stopped recording, sold his home studio and pursued a career in graphic design under his real name Dennis Leigh. But he returned as John Foxx in 1995. Foxx is known for his solo music and as the original lead singer and co-founder of Ultravox (although when he was with Ultravox, their name was Ultravox!). Since going solo in 1980, he has released a lot of music, both as a solo artist and with bands such as his current project The Maths.  But, again, he never lost interest in art.

Foxx was well aware of the power and ability to combine music and art. And as such he designed the record sleeves for Ultravox! and his solo career. This book, Electricity And Ghosts: The Visual Art Of John Foxx is a coffee table book which brings together art pieces alongside his sleeve designs. He has had some help from graphic designer Jonathan Barnbrook (who also contributes a well-written essay about Foxx) and has produced another work of art. Electricity And Ghosts: The Visual Art Of John Foxx is a beautiful book in which Foxx not only displays his art but discusses it and provides a great deal of insight into his design. For example, Foxx does produce a great many collages for sleeve design, and he explains “My life—like everyone’s—had a few shattered episodes and I realized they could be incorporated into the music and images.” He doesn’t need to go into detail, but that statement alone helps put his art into perspective.

PURCHASE ELECTRICITY AND GHOSTS: THE VISUAL ART OF JOHN FOXX [L-SIGNATURE EDITION / R-CLASSIC EDITION]

In some ways Electricity And Ghosts: The Visual Art Of John Foxx is long overdue. As a musician, Foxx has produced some of the most influential and brilliant music over the past 50 years. Whether with Ultravox ! or one his own, Foxx has never been one to follow trends, but sets them. His music is unique and often thought provoking. The same can be said of his visual art. His photos of statues, for example, and by extension graveyards and overgrown London are breathtaking and really do force the person viewing the art to pause and see what he is saying in the photos. The same can be said for his collages.

Electricity And Ghosts: The Visual Art Of John Foxx is not a vanity project, but rather another aspect of Foxx’s talent. This collection goes to great lengths to demonstrate Foxx’s unique view of the world and his fantastic designing abilities. From book covers to record sleeves to art projects, he is a very talented individual with a great deal to say and he says it with class and style. The book is beautifully put together and is the kind of book that one will be returning to time and time again.

The book is available in two versions, one autographed with a slipcase and print, and the other is a standard book.

ISBN: 978-1-91515-614-3

PURCHASE ELECTRICITY AND GHOSTS: THE VISUAL ART OF JOHN FOXX HERE