ECHOES OF THE UNDERGROUND – LEE HARRIS ARCHIVE EXHIBITION 8 TO 18 AUGUST 2024 AT THE MUSE GALLERY 269 PORTOBELLO ROAD LONDON W11 1LB. AN EXHIBITION WHICH REVOLVES AROUND THE SWINGING SIXTIES WITH SOME ENCHANTING ARTWORK OF THOSE TIMES.
Lee Harris was an active player in the sixties in popular London venues – in fact his shop Alchemy was on the exact site of the gallery that is now The Muse. His book – “Echoes of the Underground: A Footsoldier’s Tale” details the social changes of the 60s, 70s and afterwards – with stories, exchanges and his own diarised account. To quote “an authentic narrative that captures the essence
of a generation striving for artistic expressions, social justice and profound change”. Some of the early works of graphic artist Bryan Talbot which were in the publications of Brainstorm Comix series by Alchemy Press and other graphics from Homegrown (1977 – 82 edited by Lee) are there to amuse, educate and delight and they are steeped in cultural history of the times people were living in then.
As well as theatre tales from the late 50s and early 60s and stories of the Mods in Soho, playwriting in the swinging sixties and “hippiedom” in The Summer of Love, there is also a contemporary soundscape by Hicham Bensassi which is a “psychedelic, ambient auditory journey” featuring a
blend of new compositions, live recitals and extracts from Lee Harris’s book Echoes of The Underground: A Footsoldier’s Tale:- the soundscape features work by Amira Harris and musicians including James Burnham, Paul Bangash and Georgina Brett. Ask at the gallery for more information.
Check opening times before setting off to see the show. Please see a selection of works featured in the show which is on until August 18.
Penny Nair Price