David Bowie's 80,000-piece archive to go on public display at new venue
The V&A has acquired the 'rich and powerful' collection
David Bowie fans will get an unparalleled look at into his life and legendary career after the V&A Museum acquired his extensive 80,000-piece archive for the nation.
The vast array of items include handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, musical instruments, album artwork and awards from David Bowie’s fabled six-decade career.
The collection will be available for public viewing from 2025 through the creation of The David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts at V&A East Storehouse, in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Costumes include Bowie’s iconic Ziggy Stardust outfits designed by Freddie Burretti (1972), Kansai Yamamoto’s flamboyant creations for the Aladdin Sane tour (1973) and the Union Jack coat designed by Bowie and Alexander McQueen for the Earthling album cover (1997).
Notable instruments in the collection are Brian Eno’s EMS Synthesizer from Bowie’s seminal Low (1977) and “Heroes” albums and a Stylophone – a gift from Marc Bolan in the late 1960’s, used on Bowie’s seminal Space Oddity recording.
David Bowie cut up lyrics for 'The Blackout' from 1977's 'Heroes'
A David Bowie sketch from 1978
David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust costume from 1973
David Bowie's iconic Kansai Yamamoto costume
David Bowie as The Thin White Duke
The acquisition and creation of The Centre was made possible thanks to the David Bowie Estate and a donation of £10m from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group.
David Bowie’s friend and collaborator Nile Rodgers said: “I believe everyone will agree with me when I say that when I look back at the last 60 years of post-Beatles music that if only one artist could be in the V&A it should be David Bowie. He didn’t just make art, he was art!”
Tilda Swinton, who also worked with her friend David Bowie, said: “In 2013, the V&A’s David Bowie Is… exhibition gave us unquestionable evidence that Bowie is a spectacular example of an artist, who not only made unique and phenomenal work, but who has an influence and inspiration far beyond that work itself.
“Ten years later, the continuing regenerative nature of his spirit grows ever further in popular resonance and cultural reach down through younger generations. In acquiring his archive for posterity, the V&A will now be able to offer access to David Bowie’s history – and the portal it represents – not only to practicing artists from all fields, but to every last one of us, and for the foreseeable future.
“This is a truly great piece of news, which deserves the sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all those involved who have made it possible.”
Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said: “David Bowie was one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time. The V&A is thrilled to become custodians of his incredible archive, and to be able to open it up for the public.
“Bowie’s radical innovations across music, theatre, film, fashion, and style – from Berlin to Tokyo to London – continue to influence design and visual culture and inspire creatives from Janelle Monáe to Lady Gaga to Tilda Swinton and Raf Simons.
“Our new collections centre, V&A East Storehouse, is the ideal place to put Bowie’s work in dialogue with the V&A’s collection spanning 5,000 years of art, design, and performance.”
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