Peter Harris

Biography

Peter Harris is a British artist, filmmaker, and musician born in Portsmouth in 1967. He studied Fine Art and has built a multidisciplinary career that bridges visual art, film, and music, with a particular focus on experimental and collaborative projects. Harris is known for exploring identity and self-portraiture through innovative artistic processes, often inviting influential figures from his life to contribute to his work.

In the realm of music, Harris is most recognized for his deep association with dub, collaborating extensively with legendary Jamaican producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry from 2003 until Perry's passing. Their partnership spanned visual art, film, and music, resulting in a series of unique projects that merged Harris's experimental sensibilities with Perry's iconic dub style. Harris's musical output is characterized by a fusion of dub, experimental, and electronic elements, and his work often blurs the boundaries between audio and visual art. His collaborations have been featured in both gallery settings and music releases, contributing to the ongoing evolution of dub and experimental music.

Harris's legacy lies in his ability to cross artistic disciplines and cultures, fostering creative partnerships that challenge conventional boundaries. His work with Lee 'Scratch' Perry, in particular, has been celebrated for its originality and for bringing together the worlds of contemporary British art and classic Jamaican dub.

Fun Facts

• Peter Harris's collaboration with Lee 'Scratch' Perry began after Perry appeared in Harris's philosophical documentary film 'Higher Powers' in 2006.
• Harris designed the cover art for Lee 'Scratch' Perry's acclaimed 'Rainford' album.
• He often works 'by proxy,' inviting family and cultural icons to contribute ideas for his self-portrait projects.
• Harris's projects frequently blend performance art, animation, and interviews with notable figures, including politicians and artists.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Long-term collaborator and creative influence; Perry's approach to dub and experimental sound deeply shaped Harris's musical direction. (Collaborative art, music, and film projects (2003–2021)) [2003–2021]

Key Collaborators

• Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Co-created music, visual art, and films blending dub with experimental art. (Rainford album cover, Mercy (with Fritz Catlin), Higher Powers documentary, numerous art exhibitions) [2003–2021]
• Mark Stewart - Ongoing collaborative art and music projects exploring identity and experimental sound. (Joint exhibitions and multimedia works) [2010s–present]
• Fritz Catlin - Musical collaborator on dub/experimental projects with Harris and Perry. (Mercy (album/project)) [2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary visual and dub artists - Harris's cross-disciplinary approach and collaborations with Perry have inspired younger artists working at the intersection of music and visual art. (Collaborative exhibitions and releases) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Big Fish (Mercy)
2. Promised Land (Mercy)
3. Row Fisherman / Whale Song (Mercy)
4. This Is Hell (Mercy)
5. Tiny Victories (Mercy)
6. Reggae Poison (Mercy)
7. Devil Come Down (Mercy)
8. Nothing & Then Nothing - Trashmouth Remix (Nothing & Then Nothing (Trashmouth Remix))
9. When The Great Wind Blows (Mercy)
10. Alpha - Adrian Sherwood and Peter Harris Mix (VS)

External Links

• Spotify