As most of you now know, this year, to mark what would have been Roger "Syd" Barrett's 80 birthday, a range of celebrations have been arranged, including a concert and a major exhibition in Cambridge, as well as a commemorative double LP and double CD, all of which raising money for mental health charities, with all proceeds donated to them. Full details can be found here, along with ordering details for Clowns And Jugglers: The Songs Of Syd Barrett on double vinyl and double CD.

The cover of the album has been hand-created by Mark Wilkinson, an artist who has created artwork for various artists including Marillion, Fish, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. He created the cover of the 2003 DVD, The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story, and Mark has kindly revealed to us the story behind his latest cover design...

I painted a portrait of Syd Barrett last year, one of my cultural heroes ever since I heard Arnold Layne, Emily and The Piper. I joined the Pink Floyd fanclub in 1968, there were around 500 of us then, with George Best and John Peel as celebrity members. It was an exciting time when anything seemed possible in the arts, and this man, full of beautiful music, writing lyrics unlike anyone else with a wildly colourful imagination was legendary and way ahead of his time.

The painting wasn't commissioned for any purpose, it was simply a passion project, which took 4 months on and off. It's painted on a 91cm square canvas primed with 10 coats of gesso, sanded down to create a mirror-smooth surface to airbrush and paint on. I called it "The Mirror Guitar". Syd Barrett bought a Fender Esquire guitar in early 1965. In late 1966, he wrapped it in silver melinex and glued on some mirror discs, using the guitar to reflect the light shows Pink Floyd had in their early years back into the audience.

He switched to a black Telecaster after that but was quoted as saying "The Mirror Guitar" was by far his favourite. Its current whereabouts is unknown.

A friend of mine posed for the painting, crosslegged with his guitar as I wanted to 're-imagine' Syd in Wetherby Mansions where his first solo album cover 'The Madcap Laughs' was photographed. I changed the direction of the floor boards to create a dynamic perspective, then added the mirror guitar even though it had been lost a few years before. It was an era filled with symbolism. The iconic floor boards, the vase of flowers, and I tried to recreate some of Syd's paintings and drawings leaning against the wall. I stuck mirror discs to the painting of the silver guitar just as Syd had done. The unfailing creativity, strangeness and charisma of Syd Barrett, reunited, out of time with his lost mirror guitar.

When I first exhibited it I met Syd's nephew who invited me to take the painting to The Artyst bar/venue in Cambridge where I met Neil Jones (who had been 20 years director at The Corn Exchange). Neil suggested a concert in what would have been Syd's 80th birthday year in 2026. Rob Ayling then suggested a covers album showcasing Syd's songs. We then decided to have an exhibition to celebrate Syd's life and influence inviting some contemporary artists to show new artwork as well as displaying some of Syd's own art.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which seemed perfect to pull all of these elements together. We've all given our time free to this project because we are fans of Syd's unique talents, and in the process it will raise funds for mental health charities chosen by the Barrett family.

Our thanks to Mark for sharing the background to the cover art. For more details of the events in Cambridge in October, please click here.