“When Martin did the posters for the Leadmill, I would look out for them on the walls of our city. I was as interested in them, as much as the bands they were promoting. Sometimes more so. He made the often boring art of advertising a gig, into an event in itself.”

Richard Hawley.

When I interviewed Martin for the film last year it became apparent how important Martin has been in the development of the city’s music scene especially for his hard work setting up the Leadmill from scratch to his Leadmill posters that now can be seen to represent the changing times in music throughout the 80’s. I was very excited when Martin agreed to revisit that period and style to produce artwork for The Beat is The Law that summed up for him what the 80’s were all about. The result is very powerful and really does sum up an era beautifully. The artwork has also been incorporated into the website design.

>> Limited edition signed silkscreen prints are available from The Beat Is The Law shop <<

Martin recently went on a pilgrimage to America’s West Coast where he met for the first time the people that inspired him and his style of art and where he was also asked to produce commissioned artwork for well-known artists. He has also just published a fantastic book of his Leadmill posters.

http://martinfbedford.com/