Next year, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford will host a groundbreaking exhibition titled This is What You Get, spotlighting the artistic collaboration between Radiohead’s frontman Thom Yorke and visual artist Stanley Donwood. This will be the first time their extensive body of work is displayed in a major public gallery, offering fans a rare glimpse into the creative process behind some of the most iconic album covers in modern music history.
Stanley Donwood, a long-time collaborator with Radiohead, has designed the band’s album covers since the 1994 release of My Iron Lung. His partnership with Yorke began when they met at university, and together they have shaped the visual identity of Radiohead for nearly three decades. Donwood’s distinct style, often dark and abstract, has become synonymous with the band’s music, contributing to their reputation for haunting and innovative aesthetics. The upcoming exhibition will trace this partnership from its early beginnings in the 1980s to the present day, featuring over 120 pieces of art, including sketches, personal notebooks, and never-before-seen drafts of famous album covers.
Among the highlights will be artwork from landmark albums such as OK Computer, Kid A, and A Moon Shaped Pool, which reflect the evolution of Radiohead’s music and visual style. Additionally, pieces from Yorke’s side projects—including Atoms for Peace and The Smile—will be on display, showcasing the range of the duo’s creative output. Yorke, who has developed a reputation as a visual artist in his own right, will also feature his solo illustrations, revealing another layer of his multifaceted artistic expression.
The Ashmolean’s decision to host this exhibition is deeply symbolic; Oxford is not only the museum’s home but also the birthplace of Radiohead. The band formed in the mid-1980s, originally performing under the name On a Friday while its members were students. This retrospective will provide a visual journey through their shared history, from their earliest creative experiments to their most recent collaborations.
This is What You Get will open at the Ashmolean Museum next year, inviting visitors to explore the visual world behind Radiohead’s music and the enduring partnership that has shaped it.
