Oh So Pretty: Punk in Print 1976-1980

A compelling visual portrait of a time, place, and subculture that raised a middle finger to modern society

Oh So Pretty: Punk in Print 1976-80 is an unrivalled collection of visually striking ephemera from Britain’s punk subculture. It presents 500 artefacts - 'zines,' gig posters, flyers, and badges - from well-known and obscure musical acts, designers, venues, and related political groups. While punk was first and foremost a music phenomenon, it reflected a DIY spirit and instantly recognizable aesthetic that was as raw and strident and irrepressible as the music. As disposable as the items in this book once were, together they tell a story about music, history, class, and art, and document a seismic shift in society and visual culture.

Toby Mott is an artist, designer, collector, and punk historian. He lives in London. Rick Poynor is a writer, critic, curator, and lecturer. He is the author of more than a dozen books, and was the founding member of Eye magazine in London, which he edited from 1990-97.