The writing is on the wall for Sony Music

Designer and illustrator Alex Fowkes has just finished an epic cut vinyl typographic mural for Sony Music’s UK office to help the company commemorate its 125 year history.

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline

The 54 column 2m tall timeline covers almost 150m2 of wall space and captures nearly 1000 names from the history of the label and its affiliated labels, which can be traced back to Columbia Records in 1887.

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline

Fowkes has looked for an appropriate way to cast the names of artists including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin, The Clash and Michael Jackson.

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline

Divided into decades the timeline is only interrupted by great musical interventions – recording cylinders, vinyl, cassette, CD, radio, MTV, the Sony Walkman, the iPod, and digital streaming.

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline

These images are testament to how labour intensive it must have been, but it’s not over yet. Fowkes’ services will be retained as he adds future signings to the piece.

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline

Fowkes says, ‘I was quite overwhelmed by the scale of the job, trying to get my head around the logistics was a challenge. As soon as I visited the space, however, it put my mind at ease and I could instantly see it all becoming a reality.’

The Sony Music Timeline
The Sony Music Timeline
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