Peter Saville exists in a territory of his own. His practice occupies a space between art and design, and his unparalleled approach has resulted in a unique contribution to culture. This hybrid position came into being partly through the unprecedented autonomy afforded to him, aged 22, as co-founder and art director of the legendary independent UK label Factory Records.
Unlike most ‘commercial artists’ of the time and indeed since, Saville was free to design without approval. Making his art in the context of mass production, he accessed an audience through pop music, best exemplified in the series of record sleeves he created for Joy Division and New Order between 1979 and 1993.
His achievements were celebrated in The Peter Saville Show at the Design Museum in London in 2003. His first major show in a contemporary art museum was at the Migros Museum in Zurich in 2005. He continues to exhibit internationally.
