LP1

The cover of LP1 required FKA twigs to endure hours of meticulous body painting as artist Matthew Stone transformed her into what appears to be a living, breathing sculpture. Stone, known for his work blending digital art with physical transformation, used liquid latex and metallic paints to create an otherworldly second skin that would define the visual identity of one of 2014's most acclaimed debuts.

Stone conceived the cover as a meditation on transformation and transcendence, themes that ran throughout twigs' music. He wanted to create something that felt both ancient and futuristic, drawing inspiration from classical sculpture while pushing into digital-age aesthetics. The idea was to make twigs appear as if she were emerging from or dissolving into pure artistic medium.

The photoshoot took place in Stone's London studio over the course of an entire day. Stone applied layers of liquid latex directly to twigs' skin, building up textures that would catch light in specific ways. The metallic elements were added through a painstaking process of airbrushing and hand-painting, with Stone working to create gradients that would appear to flow across her body like liquid metal.

Stone shot the images himself, controlling every aspect of the lighting and composition. He used dramatic directional lighting to emphasize the sculptural qualities of the makeup, creating deep shadows that made twigs appear to emerge from darkness. The final image was captured on digital medium format, allowing for the incredible detail that makes every texture visible.

Matthew Stone had already established himself in London's art scene through his "new optimism" movement, which sought to blend digital and physical realities. His previous work had explored themes of transformation and transcendence, making him a perfect match for twigs' aesthetic vision. Stone saw the project as an extension of his ongoing exploration of how technology and humanity intersect.

FKA twigs was heavily involved in the conceptual development, bringing her background in dance and performance art to inform the poses and expressions. She understood that the cover needed to reflect the album's themes of vulnerability and strength, love and loss, all wrapped in an avant-garde package that would set her apart from other R&B artists.

When Young Turks first saw the images, they immediately recognized they had something special. The label, known for working with forward-thinking artists like The xx and Sampha, understood that the cover would help position twigs as a truly unique voice in contemporary music. Music press responded with fascination, often spending as much time discussing the artwork as the music itself.

The cover generated significant discussion about identity, transformation, and the representation of Black female artists in music. Some critics noted how Stone's treatment elevated twigs to an almost mythological status, while others praised the collaboration for its uncompromising artistic vision. The image became instantly recognizable and heavily referenced in fashion and art circles.

LP1's cover influenced a wave of album artwork that embraced body modification and transformation as central themes. Artists began working more closely with visual artists to create covers that functioned as standalone art pieces. The success of Stone and twigs' collaboration opened doors for more experimental approaches to music photography and design.

The cover's impact extended beyond music into fashion photography and digital art. Stone's techniques for blending practical effects with digital enhancement became widely studied and copied. Fashion photographers began incorporating similar transformation elements into editorial shoots, while makeup artists developed new techniques inspired by Stone's liquid latex work.

Years later, Stone revealed that the entire shoot was completed in a single session, with no digital manipulation of twigs' transformed appearance. Every texture, every metallic highlight, every sculptural element was created practically in the studio, making the final image even more remarkable as a document of physical artistic transformation.