Gauntlet Gallery — Dennis Morris Print Index
Scratch On The Wire
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Released in 2021, Scratch On The Wire is a 24 x 24 inch screen print in an edition of 600 honoring Lee "Scratch" Perry, the reggae producer and dub pioneer who died that August. The square format and larger run mark it as a tribute release rather than a rare archival photograph, pairing Dennis Morris's documentary eye with commemorative intent.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Numbered edition of 600. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
This print anchors Perry's legacy at the exact moment of his passing, giving collectors a dated, purposeful memorial object. Dub reshaped modern music, and Morris's proximity to the Jamaican and London reggae scenes lends the tribute genuine authority rather than secondhand nostalgia. It functions as both a portrait and a cultural bookmark.
Collector Perspective
At 600, this is the most accessible piece in Morris's reggae output here, so scarcity is low but subject appeal is high among dub and reggae collectors. The 24 x 24 square format frames well and reads as a statement piece. Condition and clean corners matter most given the larger run; buy on eye appeal and provenance clarity.
Historical Context
Lee Perry's Black Ark studio innovations underpinned dub and echoed through punk, hip-hop, and electronic music. Morris photographed the same reggae world that produced Bob Marley, whom Perry famously produced. Issued the same month as Perry's August 29 death, the print sits at the intersection of documentary photography and memorial tribute.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2021
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 24 x 24 inches; He did not just hear music, he saw music, he saw the colours; Screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Numbered edition of 600.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Dennis Morris's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2021 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Obey Giant. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Dennis Morris (photographer) — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Dennis Morris (Q5258763) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
600, the largest run among the reggae-subject prints in this group, making it comparatively accessible.
Why was it released in 2021?
It was issued as a tribute to Lee "Scratch" Perry, who died on August 29, 2021.
What are the dimensions and medium?
A 24 x 24 inch screen print, notable for its square format.
