THE SMITHS WALL ART GIANT 3D PIN BADGE MEAT IS MURDER

This extra large limited edition pin badge is the work of Tony Dennis of Tape Deck Art. Part of a collection of oversized badges which are intended to be wall hung, the designs are taken from actual pins from the 1970s and 1980s which were collected by the self-taught British artist.

Age marks have been added to some of the designs to make the badges look more authentic. Colour disfiguration and rust marks add to the look of badges that have been well loved and well worn for many years.

About the Artwork

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important British bands and one of the pioneers of 1980s independent music.

The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their debut album, The Smiths, in 1984. They focused on a guitar, bass and drum sound, fusing art rock and post-punk, which was a rejection of the synth-pop sound predominant at the time. Several of the band's singles reached the top 20 of the UK singles chart, and all their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) both entered the top 20 of the European Albums Chart.

In 1986, the Smiths briefly expanded to a five-piece with the addition of guitarist Craig Gannon, but internal tensions eventually led to their breakup the following year. The split was followed by heavily publicised lawsuits over royalties, and the band members have consistently rejected numerous offers to reunite in the years since. Rourke died in 2023.

About the Artist

Tony Dennis paints and creates oversized badges, selling them in galleries in the UK, Europe and the United States.

In 2018, Tony worked with French graffiti artist Invader and produced 10 giant pin badges for his LA exhibition Into the White Cube. The badges produced were showcased in the LA Times.

In 2020, Tony released 20 giant Prodigy badges after the band commissioned them. All badges sold out within four minutes of going on sale.

Tony has worked with the Hard Rock chain and produced giant badges for their Dublin hotel.

Buyers include Noel Gallagher, Maxim from The Prodigy, Taron Egerton and Paddy Considine.

All badges are handmade by the artist and produced in the UK.

• Limited edition of 50 pieces
• Hand signed and numbered*
• 20 diameter x 2d cm
• Hand painted in acrylic paints using stencils
• Artwork printed onto a gloss laminate vinyl and wrapped onto a hand spun aluminium badge
• Powder coated and hand finished
• UV protected
• Wall fixings included

*The image of the back of the badge is representative. The limited edition number that you receive will likely differ from that shown.

Dispatch

Product is made to order with a lead time of two to three weeks. If needed urgently as a present please contact us by email to check if we have stock - mail@oioitheshop.co.uk

IF THIS GIANT PIN BADGE IS PART OF YOUR LARGER ORDER WE WILL DISPATCH ALL ITEMS TOGETHER.