Designer Andy Vella has created iconic album covers for The Cure for over 40 years. He often receives tattoos of his artwork from fans. Vella recently contributed to War Child’s Secret 7″ project to raise funds for children in conflict zones, showing his dedication to meaningful artistry.
Designer Andy Vella, known for his album covers, has collaborated with The Cure for over 40 years. He shares that fans often send him tattoos of his designs, featuring iconic imagery like Robert Smith’s silhouette from “Boys Don’t Cry”. Vella’s impressive career includes working with various artists but his lasting association with The Cure began in the 1970s and has seen him create covers for their most famous albums.
While studying at art school, Vella was approached by Porl Thompson of The Cure, who noted his photographic skills. This led to him designing the sleeve for “Faith”, the band’s third album. Over the years, he has designed covers for other notable albums, such as “Disintegration” and “Songs of a Lost World”, always drawing inspiration from Robert Smith’s evocative lyrics.
For the cover of the recent album, Vella chose a striking image of a stone statue head, embodying the band’s powerful sound. Reflecting on past design experiences, including the cover of “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me”, Vella recalls how an unexpected layout decision led to a successful design. He finds the creative process can benefit from letting chance play a part.
Vella’s latest artwork is for War Child’s Secret 7″ project, which combines over 700 unique designs from various creators to raise funds for children in conflict zones. The project involves a display of all artworks followed by an auction, with buyers unaware of the associated songs until purchase. Vella expresses his stress yet pride in contributing to this meaningful cause.
War Child, established during the Bosnia conflict, continues to assist children in war-affected countries. Vella describes his design journey as “painstaking,” yet rewarding when capturing the essence of the cause. He believes in the unifying power of music and art in addressing such crucial humanitarian issues, contributing to the importance of the Secret 7″ project.
Andy Vella’s collaborations with The Cure span decades, emphasising his significant impact on the band’s visual identity. His recent work for the War Child project showcases his commitment to meaningful causes. Vella’s journey highlights the intersection of art, music, and humanitarian efforts, demonstrating the powerful role they play in supporting children in conflict zones.
Original Source: www.bbc.com