Radiohead's visual evolution explored in new exhibition featuring artwork by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood

[Curatorious]

 

The worlds of alternative rock and visual art will converge in a groundbreaking exhibition at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. Running from August 8, 2025, to January 11, 2026, This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke will celebrate the extraordinary artistic partnership behind one of music’s most visually striking bands.

 

The exhibition’s title, inspired by Radiohead’s haunting track Karma Police, encapsulates the essence of what visitors can expect: an immersive exploration of the creative synergy between frontman Thom Yorke and artist Stanley Donwood. Their collaboration, which began during their time at the University of Exeter in the 1980s, has since shaped some of the most iconic visual landscapes in modern music.

 

 

 

 

 

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With over 120 works on display, the exhibition offers an intimate journey into the evolution of Radiohead’s visual identity. Visitors will encounter everything from the surreal imagery of The Bends to the dystopian digital landscapes of OK Computer and the vivid kaleidoscopic art of In Rainbows. For the first time, personal sketchbooks and notebooks will be unveiled, offering a rare glimpse into the raw creative process that gave rise to these celebrated works.

 

Donwood’s signature style—marked by apocalyptic themes and surreal elements—has become inseparable from Radiohead’s musical identity since their sophomore album. His artwork not only complements the band’s soundscapes but also amplifies them, creating a unified sensory experience that has defined the English band's artistry for nearly three decades.

 

This exhibition is a key feature of the Ashmolean’s ambitious 2025 program, which also includes notable shows like Anselm Kiefer: Early Works and Ashmolean NOW: Daphne Wright—Deep-Rooted Things. Spanning a variety of media, from intricate sketches to bold album covers, the Radiohead exhibition highlights the profound connection between visual art and music, demonstrating how the two can merge to produce something truly extraordinary.

 

For devoted fans of Radiohead and art enthusiasts alike, This Is What You Get is a rare opportunity to experience the visual artistry that has helped define one of the world’s most innovative bands. All of this will unfold within the historic walls of Britain’s oldest public museum, making it a must-see cultural event.

 

• https://www.nme.com/news/music/new-exhibition-announced-celebrating-radioheads-artwork-by-thom-yorke-and-stanley-donwood-3814722
• https://news.artnet.com/art-world/radiohead-ashmolean-2573361

 

Image: Taylor Creek Media | Dreamstime.com