Originally running from 2012 - 2020, Secret 7” captured the imaginations of record collectors and art connoisseurs alike by bringing the two artforms together with the help of a surprise element. Having raised over £500,000 for charity causes in its first iteration, the much-loved Secret 7” project is now being relaunched by War Child to support its goal of ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war.
For the uninitiated, Secret 7” asks 7 iconic musicians to provide a track, each of which features on a limited edition pressing of 100 7” vinyl records. Artists from all over the world, ranging from the world’s biggest artists to talented newcomers, contribute unique sleeve designs, creating 700 one-of-a-kind records. All 700 records will be displayed in a free public exhibition at NOW Gallery in Greenwich Peninsula, and then sold via online auction on Peggy. Anyone can bid to win. The catch? The designer of the sleeve and track inside will only be revealed once the sleeve has been purchased. Therein lies the secret.
After much anticipation, Secret 7” can finally reveal the first sleeve contributors for this year’s project. Among the 700 designs are: acclaimed British artist Tacita Dean; iconic British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith; one of the most influential names in modern photography and film, Rankin; contemporary artist Cho Hui-Chin; prolific British artist and creative behind Tank Girl and Gorillaz, Jamie Hewlett; multidisciplinary Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson and many more.
Additional contributors include: Stanley Donwood, Bob & Roberta Smith, Helen Beard, Sue Webster, Tom Dixon, Morag Myerscough, Antony Burrill and many, many more. They’ll be joined by artists chosen via an open submission, which had thousands entries this year.
