Originally they were in your eye - now they can be in your home! or on your front!
The original poster designs of John Foy now celebrated in a range of quality limited edition formats…

Welcome

SKULL PRINTWORKS originally existed as vehicle for the designs and screen printed posters by John Foy from 1978 to 1988. The earliest designs appeared under the initial name Fonebone Printworks before changing to the more familiar moniker. The final poster of the regular output was for The Riptides in 1988 - though Foy did break out the screen printing gear one final time in 1990 for a Red Eye Record Label end-of-year concert by the label’s leading Artists.

A book containing a survey of the Skull Printworks output was issued in October 2018. ‘SNAPS CRACK POP!’ also documents the preceding years resulting in the establishment of Skull Printworks, as well as all that has followed. Skull Printworks is now back as an active entity, first to republish the ‘SNAPS CRACK POP!’ International edition, then to action some exciting new projects involving the popular designs executed by John Foy in his prime. Watch this website!

John Foy at the New York Lou Reed retrospective ‘Caught Between the Twisted Stars.The 1985 tour poster was a surprise inclusion and the largest featured piece.

Limited Edition Tote Bags

We at Skull Printworks are proud to add these great new tote bags to our quality range here. We know totes are frequently disappointing. Sometimes they are literally falling apart hours after their purchase at a show by a favourite band, and with their stupid short handles they have you holding it like a shopping bag.

Not ours! These are Super Strong, enough to securely carry up to 15 vinyl albums. And with their longer reinforced strap they can comfortably hang from one shoulder or cross over at an angle to the other. Totally hands-free while you are crate-digging or watching a show.

Here at Skull we start with the quality, and figure the pricing out later. We want you to buy with the confidence that our output will loyally last you many years to come. Your new favourite tote bags are ready now!

PRE ORDER

We are THE POSTER BOYS…

On July 1st:  Glenn ‘ Glenno’ Smith, Ben Brown, John Foy, and Simon Day - are grouping together to push back against the growing pirate & counterfeit poster problem. On that Saturday you can bring your copies of their rock posters to be appraised by them as to whether they are real or fake. It’s a free service.

For an optional fee, these designers will additionally sign and encode your poster confirming it’s authenticity and value for now, and into the future.

John Foy pioneered this longterm American practice in Australia a year ago, travelling solo between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. This year it is now the four of us, and next year we hope to further expand the idea to other period identities and genders.

As well as the authentication processes there will be all kinds of other genuine stuff and editions for sale.

It’s a rare opportunity to meet and chat to some of your favourite rock poster Artists - and we would like to meet you too - and see what you have collected.

It all starts at 11.00 am on Saturday 1st of July, slap bang in the middle of Sydney - At: 11-13 Burnell Place, Darlinghurst - look for the big Red doors!

Now Selling

Utilising the rock posters of Skull Printworks and graphics of Red Eye and Black Eye Records, the book documents the unusual career path of designer and reluctant record executive, John Foy. It’s traverses his experiences in the original 70’s Punk era, legendary record stores, trading 60’s psychedelic posters, and more.

BUY NOW

Testimonials

  • “From the start, John was all about creating things rather than making money.”

    Tex Perkins

  • “Now you can do all the editing in your computer. Whereas, in the case of these posters, it was all done in your head.”

    – Ken West

  • “Just looking at these posters takes me straight back to the nights of the actual shows...”

    – Mark Mordue

1 of 3
John Foy at Howl! Arts, NYC - circa 2015 - both photos by Marcia Resnick.

About the author

A brief history: John Foy / Skull Printworks

READ MORE

Building the book

Originally simply a monograph, this book evolved into something altogether different. The project was at one point conceived to be a 3 piece edition contained in one package.

Explore

New Apparel

The original poster designs of John Foy now celebrated in quality limited edition T-Shirts

Shop Now

New Merch Launch

The original poster designs of John Foy now celebrated in quality limited edition cushions and coffee cups.

Shop Now