The Cure, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jessie Ware and more team up with visual artists Yinka Ilori MBE, Sir Paul Smith, Anthony Gormley OBE for War Child Secret 7" charity exhibition now open at NOW Gallery until 1 June

12 April 2025 - Press release

Art exhibition featuring 700 unique artist-designed sleeves goes on display

at NOW Gallery, Greenwich Peninsula, 11 April - 1 June 2025

Online auction until 1 June 2025

Iconic talents create new records for War Child, the specialist charity for children caught in conflict in Secret 7" 2025

The Cure, Frank Turner, Gregory Porter, Jessie Ware, Keane, Scissor Sisters, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor have all offered a track each for the creation of 700 unique record sleeves for the return of the legendary charity auction Secret 7" in aid of War Child UK, the specialist charity for children caught in conflict.

Thousands of artists have submitted artworks, with 700 unique, one-off record sleeve designs selected for the anonymous auction, which opens at NOW Gallery, Greenwich Peninsula from 11 April – 1 June in a free public art exhibition. The records will be available for auction until 1 June 2025. Details on how to bid can be found at secret-7.co.uk.

Each record has a unique sleeve design inspired by the tracks put forward by this year's musicians. Artists creating designs include fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, Turner Prize-winning sculptor Antony Gormley OBE RA, the artist behind every Radiohead album cover Stanley Donwood, interdisciplinary artist Rana Begum, Haroon Mirza, Anthony Burrill, Yooyun Yang, The Cure frontman Robert Smith, BBC Radio 1 Rock Show host Daniel P Carter, Andrew Pierre Hart, Future Awards Africa-winner Ken Nwadiogbu, Vicken Parsons and Giles Deacon among many others.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has shared Devotion, a brand-new song exclusive to War Child's Secret 7".

Andy Vella, the designer behind The Cure's best-loved album covers creates a brand-new record sleeve design inspired by The Cure track Warsong for the 2025 auction.

Buyers won't know which artist – world-renowned or emerging – has designed their sleeve until after auction.

This year's records all feature an exclusive etching by Yinka Ilori MBE that's wrapped in bright colours and a unique flower motif, bringing the phrase 'Let Them Blossom' to life.

For the first time, in 2025 Secret 7" has hidden 7 Golden Records, signed by the musical artists, at beloved independent record shops across the UK. Record hunters can find clues of where to find them on the Secret 7" Instagram @secret7s. When they find a golden record sleeve, they can hand it in to the record shop counter to collect their signed Secret 7" 2025 auction Golden Record. The hunt begins April 11 2025.

In another new addition for 2025, exhibition visitors can put on headphones and listen to the seven records as well as the full Secret 7" archive in a new dedicated listening space on the mezzanine level at NOW Gallery. The space also offers an insider's look at the production of this year's 700 vinyl records and a display of artist Yinka Ilori MBE's exclusive etching.

A record sale like no other, Secret 7" has raised over £700,000 for charity since its inception 9 years ago. Designs for the project have broken boundaries of what a record sleeve can be, with past sleeves being made from concrete, felt, Lego, acrylic, clay, stitchwork and everything in between.

The advertising campaign for this year's Secret 7" has been kindly provided by creative street advertising specialists, BUILDHOLLYWOOD.

The paper for this year's Secret 7" has been kindly supported by GF Smith. GF Smith works in partnership with brands, creatives, designers and specialists across the globe to source, curate and supply the world's finest paper as the foundation for those that seek to create.

War Child protects, educates, and stands up for the rights of children living in war zones. War Child provides vital support to children and their families in 13 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America including in active conflict zones like Ukraine and Gaza. The charity responds to emergency crisis situations with immediate aid, keeps children safe, and helps them through their trauma. War Child understands children's needs and advocates along with local governments and communities for their rights to be upheld.

Charlotte Nimmo, Fundraising Engagement Director at War Child UK says; "This lineup of artists - both visual and musical - who have signed up to create for Secret 7" is a testament to the creativity and prestige of the project, War Child, and our partners. We're incredibly grateful to the artists that have, and are choosing to spend their time creating unique pieces that look brilliant, and have the knock-on effect of raising money to help us support the children living in the countries in which we work. NOW Gallery at Greenwich Peninsula is the perfect space to display these unique pieces of art, and visitors are in for a real treat once again this year. It's a wonderful thing to create something that brings joy. Not only for those lucky enough to win their favourite sleeves in the auction, and to the lucky winners of our first Golden Record hunt across the UK, but also that of the children affected by war who will ultimately benefit from the funds raised, with access to education, mental health support, basic necessities, and ultimately the ability to be a child again, and play."

Laura Flanagan, Director, Greenwich Peninsula, adds; "We are deeply proud to be hosting such an array of exceptional artistic talent at NOW Gallery. The Secret 7" project continues to unite the creative worlds, and will undoubtedly be a highlight of our 2025 programming across the Greenwich Peninsula. We look forward to welcoming audiences to experience moments of discovery and joy through this exhibition of unique works—pieces that often challenge traditional conceptions of what a record sleeve can be."

Sammi Vaughan, Partnerships Director at D&AD, said; "We've always been inspired by the remarkable work of Secret 7", and we're happy to invite New Blood entrants from across the globe to participate in its highly anticipated return. D&AD New Blood is a creative development programme designed to support and recognise emerging talent across the design, advertising and creative industries by giving them a chance to showcase their work to industry employers. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students, recent graduates, and emerging talent to compete for the coveted D&AD New Blood Pencil, unlock valuable career opportunities, and have their creativity celebrated, exhibited, and auctioned – all while supporting War Child's vital mission."

THIS YEAR'S 7 TRACKS

The Cure – Warsong (Troxy Live 2024)
Frank Turner - Be More Kind
Gregory Porter - Merchants of Paradise
Jessie Ware - Beautiful People
Keane - Black Rain
Scissor Sisters - Return to Oz
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Devotion (Brand New Song, Exclusive to War Child's Secret 7")

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