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I've always been fascinated with the way religious fervour could inspire great art and to me this holds true whether one is talking about Western or Oriental art - or religion for that matter.
In the case of this cover art design, I just tried to tweak the image any way I can hoping to find the best effect and to create what to me would make a good and unique screensaver
without a care for meanings. This is rock and roll, I thought, this is about the music. But of course, I was also aware that there was some sort of connection between the cover
art design and the music contained in the record beneath it. It was only when I finished the work and was starting to look for references to it when I found out the real
meaning of this art - and the controversy behind it.
In the case of this cover art design, I just tried to tweak the image any way I can hoping to find the best effect and to create what to me would make a good and unique screensaver
without a care for meanings. This is rock and roll, I thought, this is about the music. But of course, I was also aware that there was some sort of connection between the cover
art design and the music contained in the record beneath it. It was only when I finished the work and was starting to look for references to it when I found out the real
meaning of this art - and the controversy behind it.
iconographical form and theophany of the Hindu god Vishnu or Krishna. . .
. . . which the artist Roger Law combined in order to produce the album cover art.
Jimi Hendrix expressed dismay regarding the album cover art, which depicts him and the Experience as various forms of Vishnu, incorporating a painting of them by Roger Law, from
a photo-portrait by Karl Ferris. Hendrix stated that the cover would have been more appropriate had it highlighted his American Indian heritage. The painted image of the
Experience was then superimposed on top of a copy of a mass-produced religious poster. Hendrix commented: "The three of us have nothing to do with what's on the
Axis cover." Hindus have since expressed anger on the appropriation of the deity Vishnu for the album cover and poster. The Malaysian government's Home Ministry
instituted a ban on the artwork from June 2014 to protect religious sensitivities following complaints. wikipedia
No. 59, Rate Your Music, The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time; No. 83, Rolling Stone, The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time;
No. 147, The Virgin All-Time Album Top 1000.
Cover design by David King & Roger Law, photo by Karl Ferris. Album produced by Chas Chandler, Track 1967.
(A) EXP - Up from the Skies - Spanish Castle Magic - Wait Until Tomorrow - Ain't No Telling - Little Wing - If 6 Was 9
(B) You Got Me Floatin' - Castles Made of Sand - She's So Fine - One Rainy Wish - Little Miss Lover - Bold as Love
"Little Wing" covered live by Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood from Betina Vallandro on YouTube.
