Gauntlet Gallery — Dennis Morris Print Index
A Product Of Your Society
Summary
A Product Of Your Society is a 2016 screen print at 18 x 24 inches in an edition of 500, depicting John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. It stems from a collaboration between Dennis Morris and Shepard Fairey, uniting Morris's original punk-era photography with Fairey's illustrative screen print sensibility.
Why It Matters
This piece bridges Morris's insider punk documentation with Shepard Fairey's global print language, producing a portrait of one of punk's defining voices. Lydon is a central figure of the movement Morris photographed firsthand. The collaboration format gives the print dual authorship appeal, spanning documentary photography and contemporary street-art printmaking.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 500 it is the more accessible tier of the Morris–Fairey collaborations, broadening its collector base. The Lydon subject draws punk and Fairey followers alike. Look for both artists' signatures where present and clean screen registration; the collaboration lineage is central to the piece's identity and value.
Historical Context
John Lydon fronted the Sex Pistols and later PiL, embodying British punk's confrontational spirit. Morris was the Sex Pistols' official photographer in 1977. This 2016 print continues his long collaboration with Shepard Fairey on screen prints and paintings, translating punk portraiture into Fairey's OBEY-adjacent visual idiom.
FAQ
Who is depicted?
John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and later Public Image Ltd.
Is this a collaboration?
Yes, between photographer Dennis Morris and artist Shepard Fairey.
What is the edition size?
500 screen prints at 18 x 24 inches.
About the Artist
Dennis Morris (born 1960 in Jamaica, raised in London) is a British photographer known for his intimate portraits of music icons. As a teenager he photographed Bob Marley on tour, producing images that shaped Marley's public identity, and he later documented the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd at close range. Beyond music, Morris chronicled Black British and South Asian communities in London. His photographs are held in institutional collections, and his work is recognized for bridging reggae, punk, and documentary photography with rare access and warmth.
Collecting Dennis Morris at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a Dennis Morris photograph?
Look for signed gelatin silver or archival pigment prints, noting the edition size, print date, paper, and whether it is a vintage or later lifetime/estate printing. Provenance from a gallery or the artist is important for photographic works. Gauntlet Gallery records the print type, edition, and condition for each Morris photograph offered.
How is a Dennis Morris print authenticated?
Authentication rests on the artist's signature, edition numbering, gallery or studio provenance, and any accompanying certificate. For photographs, distinguishing a signed limited edition from an unsigned reproduction is central. Gauntlet Gallery supplies the documentation and provenance available and describes the printing method precisely.
What drives value in Dennis Morris photographs?
Iconic subjects, especially Bob Marley and the Sex Pistols, drive demand, alongside vintage prints, small edition sizes, and strong condition. A signed, dated print of a well-known image with clear provenance carries the most value. Later open editions and reproductions sit lower in the market.