Jo Brocklehurst

Shown below is a small selection of work by this artist but do enquire about viewing the other available pieces.

Jo Brocklehurst

(1935 - 2006)

Jo Brocklehurst was a British artist and fashion illustrator who gained recognition for her striking drawings of the punk subculture in London during the 1970s and 1980s. Her bold, detailed illustrations captured the rebellious spirit of the punk movement and have since become iconic representations of the era. In this webpage, we will explore the life and work of Jo Brocklehurst and the impact she had on the world of art and fashion.

Early Life and Education

Jo Brocklehurst was born in 1935 and attended an innovative school in Bedford which focused on sport and art . She showed an early talent for art as well as sport becoming a member of the England youth athletics team . In London, she continued her art education at the Central Saint Martins Art and Fashion School where she later taught.

Career in Fashion Illustration

After completing her studies, Jo Brocklehurst began working as a fashion illustrator for magazines such as Tatler, The Observer, and The Sunday Times. Her distinctive style, which blended the precision of academic drawing with the energy of street art, made her work instantly recognizable and highly sought after.

In the 1970s, Brocklehurst became fascinated with the punk subculture that was emerging in London. She began attending punk clubs and drawing the performers and audience members, creating vivid and dynamic illustrations that captured the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the movement.

Legacy and Influence

Jo Brocklehurst's illustrations of the punk scene in London have become iconic representations of the era, capturing the zeitgeist of the time in a way that few other artists have been able to do. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and in New York.

Brocklehurst's influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists and designers who have been inspired by her bold and unapologetic approach to art. Her legacy continues to inspire and challenge new generations of artists and creatives to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Conclusion

Jo Brocklehurst was a pioneering artist and fashion illustrator who left an indelible mark on the world of art and fashion. Her bold and striking illustrations of the punk subculture in London captured the rebellious spirit of the era and have become iconic representations of the time. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists and creatives to this day, cementing her place as one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century.

We are delighted to be able to offer work from the Jo Brocklehurst studio collection. We have an extensive number of pieces that span her working life and if you are interested in her artwork then you really should come to see what we have available, as the ones reproduced on this page are just a representative sample . Do contact us to book an appointment to view .
It is only in the most recent past that her ability has become recognised in the way it should be and there is now a growing number of keen collectors of her work .

Jo Brocklehurst had a number of exhibitions in her life time but it is the Punk style images of the early 1980’s that she is most famous for. Brocklehurst worked as a fashion illustrator early in her career, though she disliked being described as an illustrator, preferring the terms painter or draughtsperson. During the 1960's she sketched jazz musicians.
A year after Brocklehurst was featured in her first solo exhibition in Amsterdam 1979, she made a major breakthrough at the Institute of Contemporary Art exhibition "Women's Images of Men." Her work soon became widely recognized in the United States and Europe, and was compared by more than one critic to the work of Austrian artist Egon Schiele.

THE JO BROCKLEHURST PRIZE
We have previously funded a prize in Jo’s name and are proud to have worked closely with Central St Martins - where Jo initially studied - now part of UAL.

WANTED ! - original work by Jo Brocklehurst. Call us today if you are looking to sell a work by this artist.