When Paul Simon, 1941-10-13 (American) musician teamed up with Charlie Mackesy, the best‑selling British illustrator, they launched a two‑week free exhibition that has turned Mayfair into a crossroads of sound and line.
The show, titled Paul Simon’s Seven Psalms – Illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, opened its doors on Tuesday, September 13, 2023, at No.9 Cork Street, the flagship space of Frieze in London’s historic W1 district. Visitors could wander the gallery from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, without paying a penny.
Historical Context: Two Legends, One Theme
Simon’s career stretches back to the late 1950s, when he first picked up a guitar in Newark, New Jersey. After finding global fame as half of the folk‑rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, he launched a solo career that has produced more than 20 studio albums. Seven Psalms, his fifteenth solo record, arrived in 2023 as his first collection of entirely new material since 2016’s Stranger to Stranger. The album is a seven‑track, 33‑minute suite that explores spiritual questions through stripped‑back arrangements, earning universal praise for its honesty and humility.
Meanwhile, Mackesy surged into the public eye with his 2019 picture book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The book has sold over eight million copies worldwide and was turned into an Oscar‑winning short film in 2023. His delicate pen‑and‑ink style, often described as “gentle yet profound,” makes him a natural partner for music that leans on nuance rather than spectacle.
Exhibition Details: From Canvas to Cork Street
Each of the seven tracks on Seven Psalms inspired a corresponding sketch. Mackesy listened to the songs on repeat, letting the melodies guide his hand. The result is a series of charcoal‑laden drawings that echo the album’s meditative mood while adding visual narrative.
The gallery space itself is modest but iconic. No.9 Cork Street, dating back to the 19th century, has hosted shows by Rasheed Araeen, Jimmie Durham, and James Nares, cementing its reputation as a hub for contemporary experimentation. This latest program continues that legacy, offering free public access as part of Frieze’s long‑standing commitment to democratise art.
- Opening dates: September 13 – 27, 2023
- Location: No.9 Cork Street, Mayfair, London (W1)
- Hours: 10 am‑6 pm, Tue‑Sat
- Admission: Free
- Works displayed: Seven original sketches, one per song
Artists’ Perspectives: Words from the Makers
When asked about the partnership, Mackesy said, “I’ve loved Paul’s music all my life. I used to draw while I listened to his songs when I was a boy and still do. Being asked to illustrate — and trusted to do it — feels like one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
Simon, who reached out to Mackesy after admiring the illustrator’s previous book, expressed his delight: “Charlie’s art captures the gentle questioning that runs through the album. It’s a dialogue between sound and image that feels inevitable now that it’s happened.”
Frieze’s director, Emma Lawson, noted, “Bringing a celebrated musician and a beloved visual storyteller together in our space underscores the power of interdisciplinary art to reach new audiences.”
Critical Reception: What Reviewers Are Saying
Critics responded warmly. Belle Tindall of *Seen & Unseen* wrote, “The songs and sketches invite us to seek sacred answers, making the gallery feel like a modern chapel of contemplation.” The *Guardian* described the exhibition as “a significant cultural event that bridges two creative worlds, allowing visitors to hear and see the same emotional currents.”
Photography released on paulsimon.com on September 23 showed visitors standing quietly before each drawing, some with headphones on, fully immersed in the combined experience.
Impact and Future: Why It Matters
The collaboration highlights a growing trend: musicians partnering with visual artists to extend an album’s narrative beyond audio. For London’s art scene, the free model ensures that anyone strolling down Mayfair can encounter high‑caliber work without a ticket. Attendance numbers weren’t disclosed, but social‑media chatter suggested a steady stream of locals and tourists alike.
Looking ahead, both Simon and Mackesy hinted that this could be the first of several joint projects. Simon’s team mentioned a possible live‑performance component for future releases, while Mackesy hinted at a children’s book inspired by the sketches.
Background: The Road to a Shared Vision
Simon’s outreach to Mackesy began after he read *The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse* and admired its capacity to convey big ideas in simple lines. Mackesy, who lives in Northumberland, was among the first to hear the unreleased tracks, giving him a head‑start on visualising each movement. Their collaboration showcases how mutual respect across disciplines can birth something fresh, especially at a time when artists seek new ways to engage audiences post‑pandemic.
In the long view, the exhibition adds a new chapter to the history of No.9 Cork Street, reinforcing its role as a venue where music, visual art, and cultural dialogue converge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is being displayed at the exhibition?
Seven original pen‑and‑ink sketches by Charlie Mackesy, each directly inspired by one of the seven tracks on Paul Simon’s album Seven Psalms. The drawings sit alongside audio stations where visitors can listen to the corresponding song while viewing the artwork.
Why is the exhibition free to the public?
Frieze’s Mayfair gallery has a mission to make contemporary art accessible. By removing the price barrier, they hope to attract a diverse audience, from art‑savvy locals to curious tourists, and to encourage dialogue between music lovers and visual‑art enthusiasts.
How does this collaboration fit into Paul Simon’s career?
At 82, Simon’s Seven Psalms marks his first album of wholly new material in seven years. Partnering with a visual artist of Mackesy’s stature underlines his willingness to experiment with narrative forms, reinforcing his reputation as a restless creator even in the later stages of his career.
Will there be more joint projects between Simon and Mackesy?
Both artists have hinted at future collaborations. Simon’s team mentioned a potential live‑performance element for upcoming releases, while Mackesy has teased the idea of expanding the sketches into a children’s picture book.
How does this exhibition compare to previous shows at No.9 Cork Street?
Unlike past exhibitions that focused solely on visual art, this program merges music and illustration, creating an immersive, multisensory experience. It continues the venue’s tradition of hosting boundary‑pushing projects, but adds a sonic layer that is relatively new for the space.