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
- Death
- Location and Date
- Australia, 2016
- Materials/Techniques
- Timber, Ink, Metal, Drawing, Writing, Nailing
- Museum Number
- S.315:1 to 6-2024
- Description
- Glass Spider
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.