The Vinyl Factory has announced the release of 3D and the art of Massive Attack by Robert del Naja – the first book on the visual history of a band who have sold over 11 million records worldwide, compiled and designed by 3D using images from a personal archive and original artifacts scanned by the artist for the record.
Robert’s artwork has come to define the iconic style of his band and the book explores their visual history, presenting both familiar and previously unseen work, from his influential graffiti and stencil art in the Wild Bunch-era of the ‘80s to Massive Attack cover designs and paste-ups and paintings.
Also included is work made in collaboration with Nick Knight, Tom Hingston, Judy Blame and Michael Nash Associates, as well as unseen photographs documenting Del Naja’s ongoing collaboration with United Visual Artists. And his recent work with filmmaker Adam Curtis.
The 400-page book also features an in-depth interview with the artist, where he describes the development of the band’s artwork and record sleeve designs, as well as offering insight into his processes, and inspirations.
To celebrate the release of the book, The Vinyl Factory will also release an additional, limited edition screen-printed box set with an exclusive print by Del Naja. The hardback book features alternative cover artwork, and a unique vinyl 12-inch of a previously unreleased track with an etched B-side. The signed collector’s edition will be limited to 350 copies, priced at £350 each.
Del Naja’s background as a graffiti artist has shaped his evolving aesthetic, as well as a strong ethos of ‘do it yourself’ creativity. His instincts as an artist were forged in an atmosphere of spontaneity and innovation – from making flyers to throwing warehouse parties – and this way of working informed the first record sleeves he created as 3D.
Inspired by magazine culture and comics, 3D drew on wide-ranging influences, from New York’s hip-hop scene and Japanese graphics, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s cultural juxtapositions to Warhol’s pop imagery, politics and punk.
Speaking in Swindle Magazine, Banksy said: “When I was about ten years old, a kid called 3D was painting the streets hard. 3D quit painting and formed the band Massive Attack, which may have been a good thing for him but was a big loss for the city.”
The Vinyl Factory will publish 3D and the art of Massive Attack on 28 October 2013; the hardback book will be available in all good book stores priced at £50.
The limited edition will be for sale exclusively from The Vinyl Factory online web shop; available to pre-order, priced at £350