Ex-chaucer pupil’s life in art and pop

A former Canterbury student has become a leading graphic artist now collaborating with one of the biggest brands in the music industry.

Jody Barton, 45, grew up in the city and went to the former Geoffrey Chaucer School and then the Kent Institute of Art and Design, where he honed his talents before furthering his education and career in London.

His latest work, in association with Sony Music Publishing, is inspired by his own love of music, having played in bands locally for many years.

Now he has contributed to a new project called It’s Pop, It’s Art and produced a collection of three limited edition posters and prints.

They feature some of his favourite band lyrics, including those from Super Freak by Rick James, Ace of Spades by Motorhead and What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye.

Jody has already collaborated with Florence and the Machine, Beck, Phoenix, Stussy, New York Times, MTV, Playstation and Greenpeace.

Now based in Copenhagen, he said: “I moved away from Can- terbury to London in around 1996 and went to the Royal College of Art. Like so many people, I knew that I just wanted to draw pictures as my job.

“But through a combination of extremely dogged behaviour and poverty, I’ve managed to finally get there and can, most years, pay the bills.”

Visit www.itspopitsart.com.

Graphic artist and designer Jody Barton and one of his posters for It’s Pop, It’s Art