Jo Brocklehurst (1935 – 2006) drew live in the queer cabarets, punk squats, fetish clubs and theatres of 1970s to 1990s London, Berlin and New York.

Beginning her career as a fashion illustrator, Brocklehurst later dedicated her life to creating monumental portraits in pastel, metallic inks and ultraviolet paints. Her work is a unique record of the subcultures that went on to shape the fashion and performance scenes of the late 20th century.

This first retrospective of Brocklehurst’s included many never-before-seen works including her earliest surviving portraits from the 1970s and her final installation, Brocklehurst Through the Looking-Glass.

“London’s clubland became Jo Brocklehurst’s catwalk.”
New York Times(opens in new window)

“This is transgression at its most stylish.”
The Telegraph

“An unparalleled window into the subversive underbelly of punk.”
BBC(opens in new window)

“Vibrant illustrations... immortalising a flamboyant subculture.”
The Guardian(opens in new window)

Co-curated by Isabelle Bricknall and Olivia Ahmad.

Works generously loaned by the Estate of Jo Brocklehurst and the V&A.

Artworks © Blondes Fine Art
Installation photographs © Paul Grover