Time for Magic

Punk meets Druidry in the only trade edition of Jamie Reid's art, weaving c.180 radical art images into the structure of the pagan Wheel of the Year. The art is selected and introduced by curator Stephen Ellcock with notes on the seasonal celebrations by former Chief Druid of OBOD Philip Carr-Gomm.

Time for Magic offers an entrancing overview of Jamie Reid’s incredible art, structured around the eight seasonal festivals of the Wheel of the Year (the equinoxes and solstices plus Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain). Jamie observed these festivals, holding rituals at his allotment in Liverpool, and focused on this theme in his later paintings. This book features key Wheel of the Year artworks as well as famous earlier pieces, including the pre-punk, Situationist-inspired agit-prop and the work he produced for the Sex Pistols. Curator Stephen Ellcock has selected the art and in his own inimitable creative style arranged it into season-themed chapters, as well as finding images of Druidic ceremonies held by Jamie’s great-uncle, Chief Druid George Watson MacGregor Reid.

Stephen Ellcock in conversation with John Marchant introduces Jamie’s life, legacy and love of making trouble; John Marchant provides captions giving deep insight in Jamie’s work; and Philip Carr-Gomm writes about the Wheel of the Year and how it can help us find a new way of being in this era of climate crisis.

Jamie Reid (1947–2023) was an artist and anarchist with a life-long interest in Druidry. Best known for his work with the Sex Pistols and Suburban Press, his art developed many genres – music, publishing, performance. A passionate radical, he is known to younger generations through his work with Extinction Rebellion, Pussy Riot, Occupy London, Just Stop Oil etc. His Lost Gardens of Heligan land art installation was a huge symbol mowed into a wildflower meadow, representing the eight festivals. His work can be found in MOMA New York, the V&A and the Tate, among many others.

Stephen Ellcock is a renowned image-collector whose ever-expanding, online museum of art has so far attracted more than 600,000 social media followers. His bestselling books include Underworlds, The Cosmic Dance and England on Fire.

Philip Carr-Gomm was Chief Druid of the Order of Ovates, Bards and Druids from 1988–2020. Also a psychologist and mindfulness teacher, he is the author of many previous books including The Book of English Magic.

John Marchant represents the Jamie Reid Archive. A gallerist and curator, he has worked with internationally renowned artists such as Nan Goldin and Gary Hume, as well as emerging contemporary artists.