Monday 18 August 2014

2nd edition, Falling Gently - concertina book

Falling Gently began life as my response to the Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition Project.

An Inventory of Al-Mutanabbi Street followed on from the Broadside project that San Francisco based poet, and bookseller Beau Beausoleil initiated back in 2009. A coalition project that was formed as a protest, and to bear witness, to those that were killed or injured in the car bombing on the 5th March 2007, in Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad. The street was the historical centre of Baghdad's booksellers and the heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.

Falling Gently 1st edition.
In 2010 myself and many other artists who make books were invited to create three books for the exhibition, An Inventory of Al-Mutanabbi Street, representing the books destroyed or damaged in the explosion.

I created three books with a deliberately limited palette, to symbolise loss. Family grief lent a bitter edge to my thoughts for this project. A project which grew out of hurt and death. 

I thought of all those that had lost loved ones, the fragility of life and the strength of a family to endure such loss when it is out of time. The project is both a lament and a commemoration of the singular power of books.
Beau Beausoleil and Deema Shehabi have worked together to form an anthology of the work produced, published by PM Press.  

Annette C. Disslin has also put together a website for the project An Inventory of Al-Mutanabbi Street.

Since that time I have produced a 2nd edition of Falling Gently.

When terrible things happen, the immediate aftermath is difficult (to say the least) and with this 2nd edition I wanted colour to play a more uplifting role. In using various and bright colours, I want symbolise the intrinsic nature of people to continue through adversity.

The targeted attack on this 'street of the booksellers', using such indiscriminate brute force to maim and kill, is ultimately futile.

Books, libraries and the people who make them, have been destroyed countless times, since 48 BC with the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, through Nazis Germany up to and including Al-Mutanabbi Street. But people will persevere. And, as reliable as the turning of the seasons more poets, writers, artists and philosophers will step forward to bring their ideas into the light.

Letterpress, digital and relief print on concertina fold, hard covers

Thursday 14 August 2014

Greetings Cards for sale!

I print from hand cut lino blocks using my albion press and add text digitally. The cards are left blank inside for your personal message.

However, if you would like me to write your sentiments inside, send me information with what you would like stated, and I’ll print that digitally on the inside.

Now available in the Teacup Press shop!

Teacup greeting card, no1
Each card is a unique handmade greeting card, printed onto cream card with a cream envelope.
Size 14.5 x 14.5cm
Teacup greeting card, no2
Size 14.5 x 14.5cm
Also sold in packs of two

Sun and Moon
Each card is a unique handmade greeting card, printed onto white card with a kraft paper envelope. 
Size 14.5 x 14.5cm
For Ever
Each card is a unique handmade greeting card, printed onto cream card with a cream envelope. 
Size 14.5 x 14.5cm
Also sold in packs of two


Wednesday 13 August 2014

Memories - concertina fold book

Memories is a book made as an emotional response to the loss of a friend and the acceptance that there are some things in life that we cannot change.

Cloth bound, concertina fold, digital print,  size closed 200 x 130 mm and made in an edition of 50.
Standing between trees this evening, 
thinking of earth scents and distant noises.
Sounds of trees growing
earth turning . . . 

Evoking memories in a silent acquiescence
to the things we cannot change.

Making Memory Books by Hand

A project for making a concertina book with pockets. 9.30am - 1pm Wednesday 6th March, at No.4 West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8HT Learn how to ...