With just weeks to go before the 2022 installment of Bloodstock Open Air, festival organizers have detailed another component to the event's immersive heavy culture experience with the announcement of their onsite art exhibition hosted by the RAM Gallery.
Curated by festival founder and prominent fantasy artist, Paul Raymond Gregory, the art exhibition on site at Catton Park serves as an important emphasis of the artistic breadth of Bloodstock - professionally showcasing a variety of artists, photographers, and other creatives, all of which compliment the artistry onstage.
For this year's gallery exhibition, Iron Maiden will be an important focus featuring illustrator Mark Wilkinson displaying a comprehensive collection of his work for the UK metal icons. In addition, Maiden’s photographer, John McMurtrie will showcase his archive of imagery, including photos from the ‘Legacy Of The Beast’ - images all authorized by the band.
McMurtrie explains, “When it comes to doing something well I cannot think of any other band that is as driven to outdo itself than IRON MAIDEN. I have been the band’s photographer since 2006 and each tour just gets bigger and more ambitious! The current Legacy of the Beast tour celebrates the music and showmanship of IRON MAIDEN with three full stage set changes representing WAR, RELIGION and DEATH. What other band on the planet would have a full size SPITFIRE dive bombing on stage, a CATHEDRAL with stained glass windows, then a scene from HELL with a 25ft monster surrounded by flames? I have a lot to photograph each night but it is the best gig in music photography and I feel honoured to play my part in capturing the IRON MAIDEN legacy.”
Adding to the depth of the gallery exhibition, Venom Prison visual artist Eliran Kantor's work will also be on display. Generational visual artist and metal music mainstay Krusher will also be featured in the exhibit with a body of work more than four decades deep. The work of iconic fantasy illustrator Rodney Matthews will also be included in the collection, rounded out by 3D artist Liam Brandon Murray.
Adding a new element to the visual experience, Bloodstock will include a curated collection of images from select contributors on the festival's photography team. Photographers Katja Ogrin and Steve Dempsey, as well as Rock Society photographer, Matt Negus will showcase some of their electrifying imagery in addition to capturing the energy on the stages and throughout the festival grounds.
Coupled with the announcement of the RAM Gallery and the Iron Maiden-themed exhibition, Bloodstock, with a heavy heart has announced who will be taking the place of Black Dahlia Murder in the wake of the tragic loss of frontman Trevor Strnad. Stepping in on the Ronnie James Dio mainstage on Saturday August 13th, Venom Inc will perform a special Black Metal 40th anniversary set.
The band shared, "To be asked to return to BLOODSTOCK is for us a great honour and we look forward to more Main Stage antics with you all! But why just do any old set, we thought let's do something uber special for you. As it's the 40th Anniversary of the 'Black Metal' album, we will deliver for the first time on British soil, the complete album in full running order, live!!! We are so looking forward to this and together with you, we will lay down our souls to the Gods of Rock And Roll, as well as the Teachers Pet while we are At War With Satan...and you can Count(ess) your Bathory on that!
Bloodstock will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 11th-14th August 2022. Tickets and information can be found - HERE
