WAR CHILD PRESENTS SECRET 7"
05 March 2025 - Press release
RETURNS WITH A STELLAR LINEUP OF ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS FOR 2025
THE ICONIC CHARITY RECORD SALE IS BACK
700 UNIQUE RECORD SLEEVES TO BE EXHIBITED AND AUCTIONED FOR WAR CHILD
SLEEVES DESIGNED BY:
ANTONY GORMLEY OBE RA
YINKA ILORI MBE
SIR PAUL SMITH
ROBERT SMITH
RANA BEGUM
HAROON MIRZA
KEN NWADIOGBU
ANDREW PIERRE HART
YOOYUN YANG
VICKEN PARSONS
STANLEY DONWOOD
ANTHONY BURRILL / GILES DEACON / ANDY VELLA / JAMES JOYCE / SOL SATO / OWEN GILDERSLEEVE / DANIEL P CARTER / ADAM RICHES
...AND MANY MORE
ALL RECORDS TO BE EXHIBITED AT NOW GALLERY AT GREENWICH PENINSULA, 11TH APRIL - 1ST JUNE 2025 AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR AUCTION THROUGHOUT
WWW.SECRET-7.CO.UK
Secret 7", the much-loved, anonymous charity record sleeve auction is back for 2025 with an extraordinary lineup of world-renowned artists and legendary musician contributors.
A record sale like no other, Secret 7" has produced and sold 5,600 one-of-a-kind records, raising over £700,000 during its nine year run. Designs for the project have broken the boundary of what a record sleeve can be, with past sleeves having been made from concrete, felt, lego, acrylic, clay, stitchwork and everything in between. Relaunched by War Child last year, the initiative returns once again to support the organisation's mission to ensure a safe future for every child affected by war.
After much anticipation, War Child and Secret 7" can finally reveal the headline artists that will be contributing sleeves to this year's show: Turner Prize-winning sculptor Antony Gormley OBE RA, legendary fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, The Cure frontman and visual artist Robert Smith, acclaimed British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE, multimedia innovator Haroon Mirza, Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Ken Nwadiogbu, sound inspired painter Andrew Pierre Hart, Seoul based contemporary painter Yooyun Yang, and Radiohead's longtime collaborator and visual artist Stanley Donwood.
A record sale like no other, Secret 7" has produced and sold 5,600 one-of-a-kind records, raising over £700,000 during its nine year run. Designs for the project have broken the boundary of what a record sleeve can be, with past sleeves having been made from concrete, felt, lego, acrylic, clay, stitchwork and everything in between. Relaunched by War Child last year, the initiative returns once again to support the organisation's mission to ensure a safe future for every child affected by war.
After much anticipation, War Child and Secret 7" can finally reveal the headline artists that will be contributing sleeves to this year's show: Turner Prize-winning sculptor Antony Gormley OBE RA, legendary fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, The Cure frontman and visual artist Robert Smith, acclaimed British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE, multimedia innovator Haroon Mirza, Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Ken Nwadiogbu, sound inspired painter Andrew Pierre Hart, Seoul based contemporary painter Yooyun Yang, and Radiohead's longtime collaborator and visual artist Stanley Donwood.
Additional contributors include Anthony Burrill, Andy Vella, James Joyce, Sol Sato, Alice Tye, Owen Gildersleeve, Daniel P Carter, and Adam Riches. They join hundreds of artists, including those selected via an open submission and through D&AD's New Blood Awards, showcasing an incredible range of creativity and innovation.
The premise of Secret 7" is simple. Seven iconic musicians each provide a track which is then pressed onto 100 limited-edition 7" vinyl records, each with a unique sleeve artwork. This year's records 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. 700 creatives, from globally renowned artists to emerging talents, then interpret the song into a unique record sleeve. All 700 records will be displayed in a free public exhibition at NOW Gallery at Greenwich Peninsula (11th April - 1st June 2025) during which time they will be up for auction on Givergy (ends 1st June 2025). The catch? Buyers won't know who designed the sleeve or the track inside until after purchase – therein lies the secret.
This year's seven tracks are:
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")
The premise of Secret 7" is simple. Seven iconic musicians each provide a track which is then pressed onto 100 limited-edition 7" vinyl records, each with a unique sleeve artwork. This year's records 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. 700 creatives, from globally renowned artists to emerging talents, then interpret the song into a unique record sleeve. All 700 records will be displayed in a free public exhibition at NOW Gallery at Greenwich Peninsula (11th April - 1st June 2025) during which time they will be up for auction on Givergy (ends 1st June 2025). The catch? Buyers won't know who designed the sleeve or the track inside until after purchase – therein lies the secret.
This year's seven tracks are:
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")
Money raised will support the charity's work across 14 conflict zones around the world, where they provide immediate emergency aid, specialist psychological support, education and vital safe spaces for children, young people, and their families.
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, 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."
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, 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."
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