Radiohead singer Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood show 'the history of our mistakes' with No Go Elevator exhibition

Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke and visual artist Stanley Donwood have launched their exhibition titled No Go Elevator at Galerie De Schans in Amsterdam. The project, which originated in a London recording studio in 2022, consists of a series of drawings created using traditional materials like egg tempera and gold leaf. The artists utilized an isometric, flat perspective inspired by architectural blueprints to represent a world devoid of depth, while incorporating unrecognizable human figures derived from webcam imagery. The resulting collection explores themes of modern office environments and urban development, set against an atmosphere of quiet science fiction-like anticipation.

Collaborating for over thirty years, the duo emphasizes that their improvisational creative process mirrors the way they compose music. These drawings are accompanied by Yorke’s short, cryptic texts, which invite viewers to form their own interpretations rather than following a traditional narrative. After previously debuting parts of the collection in Venice, the artists chose the Amsterdam gallery for its intimate, low-key setting. The exhibition, which serves as a precursor to future larger projects, remains on display through October 18.