Stanley Donwood's "Bad Things" Obsession: Radiohead & New Book!

Savanah Lebsack 14 May 2025

Ever wondered who is the visual architect behind Radiohead's iconic album art? It's Stanley Donwood, the artist whose dystopian visions have become synonymous with the band's sound.

Stanley Donwood, the artistic alias of Dan Rickwood, has been shaping the visual landscape of Radiohead's music since 1994. His work, often characterized by its unsettling imagery and exploration of dystopian themes, has not only defined the band's aesthetic but has also established Donwood as a significant figure in contemporary art. From album covers to promotional materials, his creative input has been integral to Radiohead's identity, forging a unique synergy between sound and vision. His association with Radiohead is so profound that his name is intrinsically linked with the band's artistic output.

Donwood's artistic journey is one of collaboration, experimentation, and a deep-seated fascination with the darker aspects of modern life. His creative partnership with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, which began during their time as students at Exeter College of Art and Design in the late 1980s, has proven to be remarkably fruitful. The two artists share a unique creative dialogue, pushing each other's boundaries and challenging conventional notions of art and design. This dynamic has resulted in some of the most recognizable and thought-provoking album art in music history. Beyond Radiohead, Donwood has also collaborated with Yorke on his solo projects, including Atoms for Peace and The Smile, further solidifying their creative bond.

Donwood's artistic process is as unconventional as his finished works. He employs a wide range of techniques, from traditional linocut prints to digital art, often combining them to create layered and complex images. His work frequently incorporates dystopian themes, reflecting his concerns about environmental degradation, political instability, and the dehumanizing effects of technology. However, despite the often dark and unsettling nature of his imagery, Donwood's art also possesses a certain beauty and poignancy, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of the modern world.

Recently, Donwood's penchant for the "bad things" found a new outlet in a collaboration with nature writer Robert Macfarlane. Macfarlane enlisted Donwood to fill the pages of his new book, "Bad Island," with his signature brand of unsettling imagery. The book features a menagerie of creatures and scenes, including dinosaurs, unicorns, hounds, rats, factories, and burning office blocks, all rendered in meticulous detail using oil-based wood engravings. Each page of "Bad Island" bears the distinctive mark of Donwood's artistic vision, transforming Macfarlane's words into a visually arresting and thought-provoking experience.

The collaboration with Macfarlane highlights Donwood's versatility and his ability to adapt his artistic style to different contexts. While he is best known for his work with Radiohead, he has also pursued a diverse range of projects, including paintings, prints, books, and even bicycles. His work has been exhibited all over the world, and he has been the subject of several books, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary art. In recognition of his contributions to the visual arts, Donwood has also received a Grammy Award, further cementing his status as a highly respected and influential artist.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Donwood is also a writer, exploring themes of alienation, anxiety, and the human condition in his short stories and essays. His writing often complements his visual art, providing further insight into his creative process and his worldview. Whether through his unsettling imagery or his evocative prose, Donwood's work challenges viewers and readers to confront the complexities of the modern world and to question the assumptions that shape our lives.

In 2021, during the making of The Smile's debut album, Yorke and Donwood embarked on a new creative experiment, working side by side in a small studio, painting in unison. This intimate collaboration allowed for a unique exchange of ideas and techniques, resulting in a series of artworks that capture the spirit of the album. The experience underscores the deep connection between the two artists and their shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of creative expression.

Stanley Donwood's influence extends beyond the realm of art and music. His work has resonated with audiences around the world, inspiring countless artists and designers. His ability to create visually arresting and emotionally resonant images has made him a sought-after collaborator and a highly respected figure in the creative community. As he continues to explore new artistic avenues and push the boundaries of his craft, Stanley Donwood remains a vital and influential voice in contemporary art.

Donwood's process often involves a back-and-forth with Yorke, a dynamic he describes as "essentially taking turns to destroy each other's paintings." This might sound chaotic, but it's precisely this unpredictable element that fuels their creativity. Yorke's interventions, his "ability to fuck up whatever it is that I'm painting," as Donwood puts it, are crucial to the final result. It's a process of deconstruction and reconstruction, a visual conversation that ultimately yields something greater than the sum of its parts.

The artist's work often combines dystopian themes with a sense of unease and alienation, reflecting anxieties about modern society. He first met Yorke at Exeter College of Art and Design in the late 1980s, and their partnership has been a constant ever since. Donwood has been creating all the artwork for Radiohead since 'The Bends' in 1995, solidifying his position as the band's visual counterpart. His linocut prints and digital art create a unique atmosphere that perfectly complements Radiohead's music.

His official website and online shop offer a glimpse into his world, providing news, exhibitions, and the opportunity to purchase his artwork. This includes record sleeves, posters, writings, books, and paintings from his collaborations with Radiohead, Atoms for Peace, Thom Yorke, and more. This platform allows fans and collectors to directly engage with his art and stay informed about his latest projects.

Recently, Donwood has revealed the creative process that has driven his career for over a quarter of a century. From music packaging to installations to printmaking, his work is now being explored in new ways, allowing audiences to better understand the man behind the art. Despite his success, Donwood remains somewhat enigmatic, even describing himself as a "paranoid recluse." However, he invites us into his studio to discuss his work and his latest book, "Bad Island," offering a rare glimpse into his creative world.

Stanley Donwood, also known as Dan Rickwood, is not just an artist; he is a storyteller, a provocateur, and a visionary. His work challenges us to see the world in new ways, to question our assumptions, and to confront the uncomfortable truths about modern life. His legacy is one of artistic innovation, creative collaboration, and a unwavering commitment to expressing his unique perspective on the world.

Stanley Donwood, the pen name of Dan Rickwood, has been crafting album covers and posters for Radiohead since 1994. He's also ventured into painting and writing books, even earning a Grammy for his artwork. His contributions extend to political illustrations and books of short stories, showcasing his diverse talents.

His work is essential reading and viewing for fans of Radiohead and anyone interested in the dynamic relationship between art, music, and creative originality. "There Will Be No Quiet" is published by Thames & Hudson, offering a deeper dive into his artistic world.

Twenty years after the release of Kid A, Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood reflected on the dread that fueled the album's creation. This speaks to the deep connection between their art and the anxieties of the time, a connection that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Stanley Donwood’s obsession with “bad things” is well known, and among these “bad things,” his collaborations with Radiohead are the most famous. Recently, nature writer Robert Macfarlane had Stanley fill his new book, “Bad Island,” with “bad things”—dinosaurs and unicorns, hounds and rats, factories and burning office buildings, each page of the book being meticulously engraved by Donwood with oil-based woodcuts.

At Tin Man Art, Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood showcased their collaborative works, highlighting the synergy between their music and visual art. This exhibition offered a unique opportunity to see their creative process in action.

Stanley Donwood is widely regarded as one of the most important visual artists of his generation. His restless and prolific nature has led to a diverse body of work that continues to inspire and challenge audiences.

Stanley's contribution of artwork to the album cover and promotional posters for the band dates back to 1994. He is best known for working with the British band Radiohead.

Explore his artworks, writings, books and paintings on his official website and online shop.

He has also received a Grammy Award and worked with Robert Macfarlane on paintings, prints, books, and bicycles.

Stanley Donwood is the pseudonym of Dan Rickwood, a british artist and writer who created all the album covers and materials for radiohead.

Learn about his life, his collaborations with Thom Yorke, his political illustrations, and his books of short stories.

It's essential reading, and viewing, not just for fans of the band but anyone interested in the explosive mix of the art, music and creative originality.

Simply put, it's because I rely on Thom's ability to mess up whatever it is that I'm painting.

Aside from essentially taking turns to destroy each other's paintings, we talk about how we could start to approach tackling the record.

I spoke to him about the extraordinary relationship he has with the band and the process of working.

Stanley Donwood is the artist responsible for Radiohead's mysterious album covers - all those strange, digitally manipulated images that speak of modern alienation.

Working closely with lead singer Thom Yorke, who he befriended at university in the early 1990s, he has produced all the.

Category	Information
Full Name	Daniel "Dan" Rickwood (professionally known as Stanley Donwood)
Date of Birth	October 29, 1968
Nationality	British
Occupation	Artist, Writer, Graphic Designer
Known For	Artwork for Radiohead (album covers, promotional materials), collaborations with Thom Yorke, dystopian-themed artwork
Education	Exeter College of Art and Design
Collaboration with Thom Yorke	Since the late 1980s (Exeter College of Art), including Radiohead, Atoms for Peace, The Smile
Artistic Techniques	Linocut prints, digital art, oil-based wood engravings
Themes in Artwork	Dystopian themes, environmental degradation, political instability, modern alienation
Awards	Grammy Award for Best Recording Package (Radiohead's "Amnesiac")
Notable Works	"Kid A," "OK Computer," "Amnesiac" (Radiohead album covers), "Bad Island" (collaboration with Robert Macfarlane)
Official Website	Stanley Donwood Official Website