A NEW exhibition honouring an ‘overlooked’ artist considered a ‘genius in his time’ will be opening at the historic John Rylands Library in Manchester.

‘Jeff Nuttall and the International Underground’ will start on Thursday, September 8, and will showcase the work of the Lancashire artist best known for his role as a counterculture ‘troublemaker’.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Driven by social dissent and fear of imminent nuclear war, Mr Nuttall, who lived in Colne and Todmorden, was at the heart of a network of artists and writers that cultivated the 1960s International Underground scene.

The exhibition will explore his life’s works and is set to feature rarely-seen examples including his self-published ‘My Own Mag’, a first edition of his Bomb Culture book as well as correspondence with other so-called underground writers.

Other members of the International Underground whose works feature in the exhibition include William S Burroughs, Michael Horovitz, Alexander Trocchi, Douglas Blazek, Mary Beach, Charles Plymell, Harold Norse, Carl Weissner and Eric Mottram.

Visitors will be able to flick through virtual versions of all articles and artwork using a digital touch table.

Co-curator Jay Jeff Jones said: “Nuttall’s contribution to modern British culture is often overlooked but he was a genius of his time.

“Nuttall was regarded by parts of the establishment as a dangerous troublemaker.

“His book, Bomb Culture, was criticised in parliament and the Guardian labelled him a ‘priest and prophet of permissiveness’, alongside well-known subversives such as Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg and Fidel Castro.

“He abhorred the mainstream, challenged orthodoxies but celebrated and cherished what it is to be human.

“Nuttall and his circle pushed the boundaries of decency, art and creative expression as a form of rebellion.

“It’s hard to think of anyone today who can match his originality, range or artistic influence.”

Jeff Nuttall passed away in Wales in 2004 aged 71.

Cllr Susan Mary Press, who represents the Todmorden ward for Calderdale Council, said: “Artists like Jeff Nuttall often push the boundaries in ways which are only recognised and accepted as significant many years later.”