Broadcasting from Home, 1984, oil on board by Emily Young

‘A ceilidh is happening in a Northern room. Some Penguin people and a great Penguin are singing together through the night: the songs and stories of History have moved out over the land as the Earth turns towards the light again. The Spirit Penguin is with us…In the far distance the beacons of the radio station are still glimmering.’ Emily Young

 This painting was made for their third studio album, which opens with Music from a Found Harmonium, probably one of the PCO’s most recognisable pieces. Reflecting on this work while listening to the recording,  speaks to Young’s ability to envision specific moments and scenes amongst the continuously moving music.

The painting features three figures and the now familiar ‘Proprietor’ in an enclosed, intimate space. Their collectivism is strong and rich. As the viewer we are in there with them. In this work it is night, there is a faint line on the horizon telling us the sun will soon rise. 

“The songs and stories of history have moved out over the land as the earth turns towards the light again” Emily Young. 

Despite the implied time the figures in the painting present as grounded and energetic, as one figure holds their hand up to their face as if coming to a fresh revelation. A spirit like shape emerges from the Proprietor, it appears to be both a flame and penguin. The colour of blue and purple is the hottest a flame can be. Joy, strength and mythology are a continuous theme throughout the works, each work bringing the viewer deeper into the vision of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. 

“….the quality of randomness, spontaneity, surprise, unexpectedness and irrationality in our lives is a very precious thing.  And if you suppress that to have a nice orderly life, you kill what is most important.” Simon Jeffes

Image print Dimensions 480mm x480mm

This print is colour matched to the original painting and approved by the Artist, Emily Young.

This official special edition print is produced on HAHNEUMUHLE PHOTO RAG paper. Published in a strictly limited print run of 200.