Sheep sleep

The new studio in Māwhera Greymouth has plenty of wall space for art, and what could be more appropriate than Storm Thorgerson’s “Sheep sleep”?

The image, printed onto metal, greets visitors as they walk through the front entrance to the studio. The picture is of a sheep lying abed, while, seen through a window, men in pyjamas graze peacefully.

Thorgerson is best known for his album covers – designed and created by the company that he formed with Aubrey Powell: Hipgnosis – and in particular, those for the band Pink Floyd. His most famous image is instantly recognisable: The Dark Side of the Moon cover with its prismatic lens and light (below).

The picture in the studio is not the only one by the artist in which sheep feature, . It was designed for the band Umphrey’s McGee‘s fourth studio album, Safety in Numbers and this print came from a London restaurant, possibly the Hard Rock Cafe. It should make visitors chortle when they visit…