This part of the site is dedicated to exploring the Artistic soul and mystique of Syd. It is the heart and soul of what makes up the known entity of Roger Keith (Syd) Barrett's painted canvasses, designs and sketched artworks.
(ABOVE) Syd sporting a very enthusiastic face, or perhaps duplicating the open mouth he has freshly painted. Showing a keen interest in art from a young age, Syd made this early painting at the Barrett family home in Hills Road. Also shown is the Hills Road home today.
(ABOVE) Early sketches and "scrap-booking" by a young Syd Barrett with a healthy sense of humour. His efforts making up a small magazine he created to show his friends titled "FART ENJOY".
(ABOVE) These sketches and paintings were un-earthed in an attic recently. Syd had given former girlfriend Vivien James (from his Camberwell Art student days) these lovely pieces of art. The boy featured in the ink drawings (at the top) is Vivien's young nephew Phillip, aged 6. It is believed they were sketched in 1965 and were only discovered in the Cambridgeshire attic by Phillip James in the year 2000. They are apparently up For Sale to anyone who may be interested.
(ABOVE) More early canvas paintings by Syd Barrett from 1965.
(ABOVE) Syd sketched the child-like train drawing for the 7 inch sleeve to the highly successful Pink Floyd early single See Emily Play. Syd also did the design for the sleeve of Apples and Oranges.
(ABOVE) Syd's artistic "silhouette" style contribution to Pink Floyd's first album, The Piper at The Gates of Dawn. Syd took on the role of Art Director for the rear sleeve's design after getting the lads to pose in the park creating the hand stretched out design.
(ABOVE) Brilliant photographer, Mick Rock was commisioned by Storm Thorgerson to take the beautiful shots for the sleeve design of Syd's first solo album "The Madcap Lauhghs". When Mick arrived, Syd had painted the floorboards in vivid contrasting Orange and Turquoise paint. With the thick smell of the freshly splashed oil-based paint still in the air Mick was incredibly creative and adventurous with the amount of shots taken on this now famous photo session. As can be seen on the far right, Syd painted himself into a corner, and did not bother shifting any furniture for his sudden inspiration. WONDERFUL stuff! For more on this photo session see the section on Mick Rock's fantasticly high quality book, Psychedelic Renegades.
(ABOVE) Syd posed in front of one of his works hung on the wall at his Earls Court flat. Certainly a very contrasty and abstract piece on canvas. His favourite was apparently a white semi-circle painted onto a white canvas. Bizarre!
(ABOVE) Syd again contributed his Art to the sleeve design of the second solo LP, simply titled "Barrett". This time in the form of Insects. No flies on Syd!
(ABOVE) Three watercolours were painted by Roger Barrett in 1979. The first one is probably of Syd's Garden shed, the second and third are more abstract sketchings.
(ABOVE) Roger painted this Carnival scene in 1992.
(ABOVE) This surreal piece, by Barrett was recently auctioned at Christie's
Info: Pencil and oil on board, initialled and dated RKB 1963
23½x27¼in. (59.7x69.2cm.) framed
The vendor knew Syd Barrett in the early 1960s when he had been her babysitter in Cambridge and she purchased this painting at the Cambridge Art School end of year show. The painting still has the original frame that Barrett made.
