Michael Jackson and other men

More about the book

Edited by Joe Scotland, with a foreword and text by him, this publication showcases the teenage drawings and paintings of British artist Dawn Mellor, created during the 1980s. These works, featuring Michael Jackson and various other figures, mark Mellor's early engagement with celebrity and fan culture while serving as subjective social documents. Though such adolescent drawings may seem typical, they reflect Mellor's exploration of societal conditions and her artistic development. The Jackson pieces evoke the memory of a tragic cultural icon, hinting at the young artist's emerging sexuality and ambitions. Alongside Jackson, the collection includes portrayals of athlete Carl Lewis, comedians Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby, and representations of social unrest and injustice. Born in 1970 in Manchester, Mellor currently lives and works in London.