08

Creativity and impact

Creativity can be a tool to champion important causes. As Bowie's career progressed, he spoke passionately about music carrying a message. ‘There’s a lot of injustice, so let’s ... say something about it.’

In the 1980s, Bowie used his music, films and videos to critique social issues like homophobia, colonialism, racism and war. He became increasingly active in fundraising, performing for charitable causes from Live Aid in 1985 to Brixton Community Centre in 1989.

Written by: Harriet Reed, Curator of Theatre & Performance, V&A South Kensington
Published: September 2025

Museum Number
LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.2126-2024
Description
Fan Artwork
Location and Date
Australia, 2016
Materials/Techniques
Timber, Ink, Metal, Drawing, Writing, Nailing
Object information
Museum Number
S.315:1 to 6-2024
Description
Costume
Artist/Maker
Moseley, Diana
Location and Date
Spain, 1987
Materials/Techniques
Wood, Leather, Imitation leather, Suede, Satin, Metal, Resin, Foam, Lame, Lurex, Hand stitching, Machine sewing, Screwing
Object information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/80
Title/Description
Negative of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Black and white negative of David Bowie and dancer Joelene King, who featured in the Let's Dance music video. Photograph taken by Patrick Jones.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/81
Title/Description
Positive of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Strip of 6 colour positives taken by Patrick Jones during the shoot for the 'Let's Dance' music video. Includes two 'behind the scenes' photographs and four colour stills. Features Terry Roberts and Joelene King, two First Nations dancers featured in the Let's Dance music video, walking on a beach. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this image includes a deceased person.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/83
Title/Description
Positive of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Strip of six colour positives taken by Patrick Jones during the 'Let's Dance' music video shoot. Shows behind-the-scenes images and features David Bowie and Terry Roberts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that these images include a deceased person.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/82
Title/Description
Positive of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Strip of six colour positives from a photoshoot by Patrick Jones. Photographic stills taken during the filming of the 'Let's Dance' music video.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/84
Title/Description
Negative of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Strip of negative photographs taken by Patrick Jones during the 'Let's Dance' music video shoot. Images show dances Terry Roberts and Joelene King. Photograph taken by Patrick Jones. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this image includes a deceased person.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/85
Title/Description
Negative of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Strip of negative photographs taken by Patrick Jones during the 'Let's Dance' music video shoot. All images show David Bowie and dancer Joelene King.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/79
Title/Description
Photograph of 'Let's Dance' music video shoot
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1983
Materials/Techniques
Black and white photograph showing dancer Terry Roberts pulling heavy machinery down a road. Back reads 'Let's Dance Video 1983 Patrick Jones'. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this image includes a deceased person. Photograph taken by Patrick Jones.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/43
Title/Description
Invitation Letter from University of Adelaide
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
Nov 1983
Materials/Techniques
Invitation addressed to David Bowie regarding a performance hosted by the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) at The University of Adelaide. The invite came after the 'Let's Dance' video shoot which featured First Nations Australians and people local to the area. File includes invitation and one entry ticket to the performance.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/44
Title/Description
The Glass Spider Tour Set Photograph
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
11 Oct 1987
Materials/Techniques
Photograph of David Bowie on the set of the Glass Spider Tour, presented to David Bowie by Vari-Lite Concerts Inc. The photograph is printed on a decorative glass plate.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/45
Title/Description
Polaroid of The Glass Spider Tour Set Model
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Polaroid photograph of a set model for the 1987 Glass Spider Tour. Photographer unknown. The set was designed by Mark Ravitz.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/46
Title/Description
Polaroid of The Glass Spider Set Model
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Polaroid photograph of a set model for the 1987 Glass Spider Tour. Photographer unknown. The set was designed by Mark Ravitz.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/99
Title/Description
<i>The Glass Spider Tour</i> Dress Rehearsal, Colour Slide
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Photograph taken by Richard Houghton.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/97
Title/Description
<i>The Glass Spider Tour</i> Dress Rehearsal, Colour Slide
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Photograph taken by Richard Houghton. Slide features David Bowie on stage in costume for dress rehearsals.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/1
Title/Description
Handwritten note about Berlin gig, The Glass Spider Tour
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Written on the back of a Steigenberge Kunhotel information sheet. David Bowie references fans on the other side of the fence being arrested for trying to listen to the gig.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/10
Title/Description
'Heroes' Handwritten lyrics
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1977
Materials/Techniques
Handwritten lyrics for the song "Heroes" written at Hansa Tonstudio (Hansa Studio) in Berlin by David Bowie.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/146
Title/Description
Berlin Subway Map
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1976
Materials/Techniques
Pocket-sized map of the Berlin S-Bahn which David Bowie used to navigate around Berlin. One double sided page which can be folded into a booklet with a cover image dated 1976; a map of the subway network in the centre pages; and a calendar on the back page.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/23
Title/Description
East German Entry Permit
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1977
Materials/Techniques
Permit to enter East Germany from West Germany, 1977. Lists David Bowie's name and date of birth; contains an entry stamp.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/148
Title/Description
Photograph of David Bowie in Berlin
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1977 - 1978
Materials/Techniques
Black and white A4 photograph of David Bowie lying on a bed in Berlin, with a painting of Yukio Mishima by David Bowie. Photograph by Christian Simonpietri.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/149
Title/Description
Photograph of David Bowie, Brian Eno and Robert Fripp
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1977
Materials/Techniques
Black and white photograph of David Bowie, Brian Eno and Robert Fripp sitting in Hansa Studios in Berlin.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/98
Title/Description
<i>The Glass Spider Tour</i> Dress Rehearsal, Colour Slide
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Photograph taken by Richard Houghton. David Bowie and band on stage in costume for dress rehearsals.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/78
Title/Description
Contact sheet, <I>The Glass Spider Tour</I> Dress Rehearsal
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1987
Materials/Techniques
Photographs taken by Richard Haughton. Contact sheet comprises 37 black and white photographs on one page, all featuring David Bowie on stage in costume for dress rehearsals.
Item information