Bloodstock 2021 / Rock and Metal Museum – The RAM Gallery

Another Bloodstock institution is the Rock and Metal museum, aka The RAM Gallery. It’s a beautiful opportunity to see the sublime fantasy artwork of festival founder Paul Gregory alongside a selection of illustrious Metal creations from various artists.

Words: Liz Medhurst

Photography: John Inglis

Christopher Lee, The RAM Gallery, Bloodstock 2021
Christopher Lee, The RAM Gallery. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

Bespoke artwork

It’s always a delight to browse around this exhibition space every year to anchor the history of this wonderful festival and track the legacy back through the years. Each year Paul creates a bespoke piece of artwork for that year’s festival, and a selection of the acts appearing then signs the frame.

You can lose yourself for hours in appreciation, and sensory delights as the threads of music and art intertwine beautifully on every wall.

Signed Glen Tipton guitar. RAM Gallery Bloodstock 2021. BOA21
Signed Glen Tipton guitar. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

There’s a whole wall of Saxon and Judas Priest art and a chance to win a signed Glenn Tipton guitar.

There are always competitions running, sometimes to win things, sometimes to have your own art in a future exhibition. More bespoke guitars feature prominently throughout, the 3D shapes barely containing their quiet majesty, almost ready to burst into their song at any moment.

Hella Rock Festival

Glenn Tipton Guitar, Bloodstock 2021. BOA21
Glenn Tipton Guitar, Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

John McMurtrie

This year there is a selection of limited edition photo prints by John McMurtrie (Iron Maiden’s official photographer), including especially fine portraits of Christopher Lee and Tony Iommi and some Maiden and Ghost action shots.

John McMurtrie, Ghost. Bloodstock 2021. RAM Gallery. BOA21
Ghost, John McMurtrie. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

Liam Brandon Murray

There are some jaw-dropping fine art sculptures by Liam Brandon Murray, including a magnificent throne.

Here’s Paul Gregory himself seated in it. He’s the only person allowed to touch it, quite right too.

Liam Brandon Murray sculpture. RAM Gallery, Bloodstock 2021. BOA21
Paul Gregory, RAM Gallery. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

Other delights are an iconic photo of Lemmy, giving us the finger and benevolently watching over us all, and Mark Wilkinson’s (Marillion, Priest) surreal and bleak portraits.

It’s a privilege to glimpse this temporary exhibition each year. Hopefully, one day it will have a permanent home.

You can read all our Bloodstock 2021 coverage, including interviews, here.


Bloodstock have announced their 2022 lineup.

For more details visit www.metaltalk.net/bloodstock-2022-seventeen-bands-announced-for-next-years-boa.php

VAT remains at 5% on tickets, but only until September, so it is recommended to get your tickets early for next year’s festival.

Early-bird weekend camping tickets are available at the on-site box office across the duration of the 2021 event, then will go on sale online at 9 am Monday 16th August, priced at £135 (+ bkg fee) from the ticket store, as well as Serpents Lair VIP tickets, child tickets, and camper van passes (which always sell out very quickly, so don’t snooze if you’re after one).


RAM Gallery, Bloodstock 2021. BOA21
RAM Gallery. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk
RAM Gallery, Bloodstock 2021. BOA21
RAM Gallery. Photo: John Inglis/MetalTalk

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