Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Diary
blog

U2 Bono’s drawing of President Zelensky graces cover of The Atlantic

Musician made 15 to 20 different iterations of the image

The Art Newspaper
3 May 2023
Share
The June cover of the Atlantic magazine.

Illustrations by Bono for the Atlantic

The June cover of the Atlantic magazine.

Illustrations by Bono for the Atlantic

The Irish musician Bono is not just a rock god—he’s also a dab hand with a pencil and paintbrush. The U2 frontman was invited to illustrate the June cover of The Atlantic featuring the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting a piece about whether “the future of the democratic world will be determined by whether the Ukrainian military can break a stalemate with Russia”. But it was not all plain sailing for the singer, revealed The Washington Post. Bono went back and forth with art director Oliver Munday on 15 to 20 different iterations of the image, which started as a simple line drawing of Zelensky. Bono also highlighted where his arty side comes from, saying: “I learned to draw and paint on photographs from my father, who put colour to black and white polaroids of my mother.” Bono added that he has “drawn and painted over The Atlantic covers before. … defaced is another word for this, but it’s with great affection. I’m a fan of their long-form journalism.”

DiaryMusicUkraine
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

Diaryblog
10 January 2023

Banksy Ukrainian print project blighted by 'hostile attacks from Russia'

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
6 September 2022

Petition to replace Catherine the Great statue in Ukraine with one of gay porn star gains traction

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
5 April 2023

Boom bang a bang! Bluecoat gallery hosts 'deadpan' Ukrainian artist Alevtina Kakhidze during Eurovision

Other events planned around the popular song concert include a print party

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
17 August 2023

Killer Queue: Freddie Mercury fans go Ga Ga and line up round the block for Sotheby’s show

The masses are being drawn in by the chance to see objects both fine and personal

The Art Newspaper