Secret 7" - 3D and the art of Massive Attack

The History & the art of 3D - Massive Attack

http://www.vfeditions.com/product/view/145

"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." Banksy (Swindle magazine, 2008)

The Vinyl Factory presents 3D and the art of Massive Attack by Robert del Naja aka 3D - the first book on the visual history of a band who have sold over 11 milliion 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. 

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. 

The image above is the original track cover designed by 3D for Karmacoma. It's pretty obvious that Massive Attack just like their music, are very experimental and edgy in their artwork, creating designs that aren't superficial but meaningful and also personal in some aspects (influences from Bristol Underground scene).