artwork by Olivier Jallet

In 2000, Shambala Records out of Paris issued Liquid Sphere's first proper release, 'skull & bones'. For Boris Cabeza and Gregory - respectively one of the two label managers and the company's graphic designer - to work on the artwork, I sent them some photographs of a dozen or so paintings by my friend Olivier Jallet (OLV).

They used a few of them, but either printed in black and white, or so blurred - on purpose - that you couldn't make them out for what they were in the first place. Which doesn't mean that I don't like the artwork for 'skull & bones', but Olivier's fantastic paintings really deserve more than this poor representation.

Here is a sample of his colourful, lush and tempestuous output. These five pieces date back from the late 1990's.

Hypocracy series

These photographs are part of the 'hypocracy' series of Liquid Sphere releases.

It all started with a photograph I took in New Orleans in December 2001. I noticed a graffiti scribbled on a wall and decided it would be appropriate for the artwork of the upcoming Liquid Sphere 3" CDR 'hypocracy' put out by Taalem in 2002. Some variations were found on the 'hypocracy 2 & 3' CDR. More may one day be included in the artwork for the unreleased 'hypocracy 4' EP.

artwork by Shirin Neshat

Shirin Neshat (شیرین نشاط) is a renowned US-based Iranian artist whose multimedia works often comment on the relationship between women and Islam. Some of her photographs have graced the covers of albums by British artist Muslimgauze (a one-man band led by the late Bryn Jones). 
Shirin Neshat has also produced a handful of films, among which the breathtaking short 'Turbulent' which can be seen here.
You can also view more pictures by Shirin Neshat on this page or on that one.