"Keep Your Pause Off" by Thomas Wolski, artworks created for the MTV EMA Manchester 2024

‘Keep Your Pause Off’: limited and special edition artworks created for the MTV EMAs Manchester 2024

‘Keep Your Pause Off’ artworks are created from one of five freehand-illustrated white cassette tapes
Four of the original illustrated cassettes gifted to artists performing at the MTV EMAs with another 26 receiving a special edition relief mounted version, and 70 limited edition prints for VIPs.
All artworks were hand signed and numbered by artist Thomas Wolski

Freehand-illustrated cassette tapes form the foundation for a special collection of artworks created by Manchester-based artist Thomas Wolski for VIPs and artists performing at the 30th anniversary MTV EMAs at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

The retro-inspired, but contemporary, artwork captures the essence and history of the famous city in images and illustrations so recognisable yet filled with wonder.

A way of taking a piece of Manchester with you in art form, this icon is finished in Thomas Wolski’s unique signature style, adorned with quintessential Manchester imagery for a global stage.

As in all of Tom’s creations you’ll find something new and different whenever you look at the detailed illustrations – just like Manchester.

Describing the design process Thomas Wolski said “I wanted to create something fun and retro inspired, so a cassette was the obvious choice for me as that’s what I grew up with, and for a 30 year anniversary it just marries so well. It’s an ironic twist as the piece is encased so you cannot play it.

I used the illustration to create the noise; a busy art filled bustling little treasure - again, just like Manchester. The drawings used across the collection are all things I associate with us; pies, recognisable architecture, sewing machines, tv, music, drag heels, canal barges, beer pumps, umbrellas, and all things fun.

Being involved with marking the 30th anniversary of the MTV EMAs in Manchester has been fantastic and sparked my creativity so much I ended up making a small collection inspired by the event. I had so many ideas to pick from I ended up making them all!”

Notes to Editors

About Thomas Wolski

Thomas Wolski is a contemporary British artist whose media involves intricate freehand illustration as drawings, working these directly on to curio, sculptures and antiques. His completely unique and signature style comprises images within images, utilising iconic bold silhouettes to incite curiosity, teasing your eyes as you become aware of the magical worlds and hidden treasures that inhabit his artworks. Wolski has worked with a host of global brands including luxury car makers, world famous football clubs, fine jewellers, media broadcasters, apex fashion houses and created the ‘Northern Music Awards’ statue. Tom has quietly gained a cult following amongst a host of global A-list celebrities and collectors, featuring in Vogue and selling pieces at Christie’s auction house for charity. As a result, his works are rarely exhibited.

About the 2024 MTV EMAS

The 2024 MTV EMAs will broadcast LIVE across the globe on Sunday 10th November from Manchester, UK. One of the biggest global music events that celebrates the world’s most iconic artists, the MTV EMAs bring fans a unique, multi-platform experience across MTV’s global network in nearly 150 countries. Follow @MTVEMA on Facebook, X, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, and join the conversation with #MTVEMA. Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey are Executive Producers for the 2024 MTV EMAs. Debbie Phillips and Chloe Mason are Producers.

About Manchester

Manchester is recognised around the globe for its rich music history and heritage which cuts across musical genres and takes in live performances as well as a legendary nightclubbing scene. Situated in the North West of England Manchester's population and economy are amongst the fastest growing in Europe. Over the last 25 years it has been transformed from a struggling post-industrial city with a declining population to the UK's fastest-growing city playing a confident role on the international stage. In 2019, Manchester was listed by the Confederation of British Industry as the second largest creative city in Europe after London with a GVA to the city's economy of £1.4 billion. Manchester was host city for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the city's bi-annual Manchester International Festival, first held in 2007, is now one of the world's leading arts festivals and the first to be entirely focused on the commissioning and producing of new original work, much of which goes on to be seen by audiences in cities around the world. Manchester has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2017, and joined the international Music Cities Network in 2019. It has also just been designated a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning.

About Co-op Live

Co-op Live is a £365m, 23,500 capacity premier venue located on the Etihad Campus in the heart of Manchester. It features over 120 nights a year of unique entertainment. Co-op Live emerges as the newest and largest arena in the UK, a testament to the unrivalled partnership between Oak View Group (OVG), City Football Group (CFG), Harry Styles, and Co-op. Distinguished as a world-class, planet-friendly venue deeply rooted in the local community, Co-op Live is poised to become one of the world’s most sustainable and socially responsible venues delivering on Co-op’s vision of a fairer world within the entertainment industry. With an impressive array of 32 food and drink concessions, including bars, premium restaurants, lounges, and club spaces, Co-op Live sets the standard for live entertainment in the music industry today. Venue excellence extends to the innovative ‘Smart Bowl’ design with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art acoustics, crafted to offer an intimate and immersive sensory experience for all patrons.