Secret 7”, the much loved anonymous charity record sleeve sale that marries world leading artists with legendary musicians, is delighted to announce final items up for auction in addition to revealing the identities of the iconic designers behind this year’s sleeves.
Following months of anticipation, Secret 7” can now finally lift the lid on the ‘secret’ at the core of the project, by revealing the sleeve designers behind each of the 700 sleeves. All proceeds from the auction go towards War Child’s vital efforts in supporting children affected by conflict.
For a full gallery of all this year’s sleeves and contributors, please visit https://secret-7.co.uk/gallery/2024
Rankin
Rachel Whiteread
Tacita Dean
Jamie Hewlett
Cho Hui-Chin
Last but certainly not least, Secret 7” has some exciting final additions to this year’s auction and fundraising efforts, including seven one-of-a-kind REGA Planar 1 turntables designed and screen-printed by the critically acclaimed graphic artist Anthony Burrill, and a series of signed test pressings. The remaining items are up for auction on Peggy until Sunday 24th March at 10am GMT and include:
7x one-of-a-kind REGA Planar 1 turntables, designed by Anthony Burrill. Each turntable comes with a slipmat designed by Burrill, signed authentication and the corresponding 7” record.
9x signed test pressings for Aurora's A Different Kind of Human
10x signed test pressings for Celeste's Stop This Flame, housed in a sleeve designed by Celeste
7x signed test pressings for The Chemical Brothers feat. Beck's Skipping Like A Stone
7x signed test pressings for Hozier's Swan Upon Leda
5x signed test pressings for Paul McCartney's Pipes of Peace
7x signed test pressings for Siouxsie & The Banshees' Lullaby
7x unsigned test pressings for The Specials' We Sell Hope
Test pressing, signed and designed by Celeste
On designing the turntables, Anthony Burrill said “I’ve been a long time supporter of War Child and I’m thrilled to have made a contribution to this year’s Secret 7”. It’s a wonderful initiative that uses the power of creativity to positively impact people affected by conflict."
Originally running from 2012 - 2020, Secret 7” captured the imaginations of record collectors and art connoisseurs alike by bringing the two artforms together with the help of a surprise element. Having raised over £500,000 for charity causes in its first iteration, the much-loved Secret 7” project was relaunched in 2024 by War Child to support its goal of ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war.
For the uninitiated, Secret 7” asks 7 iconic musicians to provide a track, each of which features on a limited edition pressing of 100 7” vinyl records. Artists from all over the world, ranging from the world’s biggest artists to talented newcomers, contribute unique sleeve designs, creating 700 one-of-a-kind records. All 700 records were sold via online auction on Peggy. The catch? The designer of the sleeve and track inside was only revealed once the sleeve was purchased. Therein lies the secret.
Among the 700 sleeve designers this year were: influential contemporary sculptor Rachel Whiteread; acclaimed British artist Tacita Dean; iconic British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith; one of the most influential names in modern photography and film, Rankin; contemporary artist Cho Hui-Chin; prolific British artist and creative behind Tank Girl and Gorillaz, Jamie Hewlett; multidisciplinary Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson; Stanley Donwood, Bob & Roberta Smith, Helen Beard, Sue Webster, Tom Dixon, Morag Myerscough, Anthony Burrill and many, many more. They were joined by artists chosen via an open submission, which had thousands entries this year.
All money raised from the auction will support War Child’s work with children affected by conflict.
