Music Artist Lakwena designs poster for Montreux Jazz Festival

London-based artist Lakwena has designed the poster for the upcoming 59th Montreux Jazz Festival. The colorful work, reminiscent of the 1970s, quotes the lyrics of "Stars". Nina Simone performed the song on stage in Montreux in 1976.

Lakwena's design is a first for the Montreux Jazz Festival. The artist uses the lyrics as a central element; she has built her work around five words: "all you see is glory". This short and powerful message invites various interpretations, the Montreux Jazz Festival explained in a press release on Tuesday.

The phrase comes from the lyrics of the song "Stars", which Janis Ian composed in 1974 and Nina Simone performed in Montreux two years later. Lakwena was fascinated by Nina Simone's performance during her research, according to the press release. Lakwena describes the performance as "so intimate, honest and authentic".

According to the artist, the word Glory reflects the festival's heritage, its concerts, the lake and the mountains. A certain melancholy can be recognized, because "Stars" is above all about the transience of fame.

Lakwena has roots in Great Britain and Uganda. She has exhibited worldwide - for example in London, Paris, New York or Los Angeles, in institutions such as the Tate Modern or the Kunsthal in Rotterdam. She uses bright colors in her works. She creates an optimistic and at the same time subtly subversive universe with haunting texts, according to the press release.

Since 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has commissioned international artists to design its official poster, including Jean Tinguely, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and David Bowie. The 59th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival will take place from July 4 to 19, 2025.

SDA