The Cure Boys Don't Cry 35mm Print

Before one photograph became an iconic Cure image, there was a whole roll of film.

Created by Andy Vella and Robert Smith exclusively for Teenage Cancer Trust, this 500 × 500mm lithographic print returns to the original 35mm photography behind the 1986 Boys Don't Cry artwork, revealing a sequence of Robert Smith images from the same session.

Vella photographed Smith during the filming of The Cure's 1986 Boys Don't Cry video. Shot in silhouette with his guitar and unmistakable hair, one of those photographs was selected for the re-release of the single and went on to become one of the most recognisable images of Smith. Vella has since spoken about seeing the photograph reproduced around the world, right down to fans having it tattooed.

This artwork pulls back from that single famous frame. Nine different poses are presented within overlapping strips of 35mm film, showing Smith standing, playing and moving with his guitar as the original shoot develops from one exposure to the next. Faint imagery of the Royal Albert Hall sits underneath, connecting photographs taken four decades ago with Vella and Smith's work for Teenage Cancer Trust in 2026.

Keeping everything in shades of black, grey and silver gives the piece the character of an oversized photographic contact sheet. Film edges, frames and overlapping transparencies remain part of the composition, making the process behind the original image as important as the image itself.

Vella's relationship with The Cure began in 1981 and has developed into a creative collaboration spanning photography, sleeve design and visual direction. When creating the identity for the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust concerts, he returned directly to the Boys Don't Cry silhouette, describing it as an image that had become particularly well known and using it as a recurring element throughout the campaign.

Produced as a fine-art lithographic print, the artwork measures 500 × 500mm and was created exclusively for Teenage Cancer Trust by Andy Vella and Robert Smith.

Product details

• Boys Don't Cry 35mm art print
• Artwork by Andy Vella and Robert Smith
• Created exclusively for Teenage Cancer Trust
• Based on Andy Vella's original 1986 Boys Don't Cry photography
• Features nine Robert Smith images presented as 35mm film frames
• Lithographic print
• Artwork size: 500 × 500mm
• Fine-art production
• Unframed
• Unsigned

Every purchase supports Teenage Cancer Trust, helping provide specialist care and support to young people with cancer.

Please note:

Print supplied unframed.

International customers are responsible for any import fees or duties payable on delivery.