The exhibition "Again to Sort" exhibits protest posters from 100 e book printing artists
Organized by the New North Press book printing studio, the exhibition was originally held at the Standpoint Gallery in London, where it opened in December but had to close due to the recent Covid-19 lockdown in the UK. It has since reached people online and through a catalog of featured works.
While last year's events make an exhibition about protest very topical, planning actually began in December 2019. "Then we chose the protest theme," says Richard Ardagh, who co-curated the show with Graham Bignell. “At the time we had no idea what this would mean and what world-changing events were around the corner with Covid-19, the murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter and the general turbulence of last year. We announced the exhibition with an open call in February 2020. The show was originally scheduled to open in July but was later postponed to December. "
Above: fact / fake by Erik Spiekermann; Above: Boris_Johnson of New North Press and Stewart Lee
Face to Face Facebook face mask from New North Press and an anonymous asylum seeker
We have Brexit Dumb from John Christopher, Flowers & Fleurons
The topics on the posters are broad, including Black Lives Matter, Brexit, climate change, gay rights, false news, public housing, police violence, gentrification and the NHS. Following an open call for proposals on the protest theme, the exhibition features works from the global book printing community as well as a range of new collaborative works designed to help bring new voices and topics to the fore.
“Our idea was to bring everyone together on a book printing show that focused on the message of the work, not just the technology,” continues Ardagh. “With the special collaborative print editions that we produced, we made sure that the voices we represent are different. This started early last year when we worked with a talented group of adults with learning disabilities who had clear ideas about the topics they wanted to communicate. We wanted to do something similar with a group from the local homeless community, but the virus made it impossible. We managed to get in touch with a Senegalese asylum seeker and create a poster based on their sketches, but we haven't been able to expand on this as the context of speaking out puts their application at great risk.
“There was also a list of people who were known for their activism in various fields that we reached out to. We worked with Extinction Rebellion Art Group and graphic designers Malcolm Garrett, Jane Plüer and Sarah Boris (who managed to get their posters on NNP) as well as artists Bob and Roberta Smith and Mark Titchner, fashion designer Katherine Hamnett, poet, collaborated with John Anstiss and comedian Stewart Lee; A total of 26 collaborations – a complete alphabet. "
Fairness by New North Press and Extinction Rebellion Art Group / Paris68redux
Kneel off Ben Blount
Ladies! Being singled out by gender and ability is a confidence boost! by Jennifer Farrell, Starshaped Press
The show offers a glimpse of the diverse subjects that preoccupy us in these complicated times. “In the main part, we shared the message of their poster with our employees,” says Ardagh, “although we have encouraged some local school leavers to create a poster about the downgrading of their A-level exam results (due to the fact that the exam regulator's algorithm overrides the assessments the teacher according to Covid-19).
“When choosing the posters from the open call, we selected everything that we believe has a strong and relevant message. This was a pretty big show, but in some ways we knew that it would be the collection of all these works of art put together that would take an important snapshot of life in these times. "
In addition to the messages, part of the draw for the exhibition is, of course, the persistent appeal of the letterpress (even if the smell of the ink cannot be smelled online). "I know that when I find too much screen-based work deeply unsatisfactory, I am not alone," explains Ardagh, explaining why we keep coming back to style. "The slow and systematic process of printing is therapeutic in a way that many mindful and meditative people seem to seek, and there is a persistence, tactility, and even a smell to printing that cannot be ignored."
Not a safe place from Anthony Burrill
Our solidarity from Dave Darcy, One Strong Arm
What a mess by Dafi Kühne, babyinktwice
We are all migrants and refugees from Dennis Gould
For * U * K's sake Stop Brexit by Alan Kitching
Yes, panic from New North Press and Jane Plüer
The reset to type can be viewed online at reverstingtotype.com. new-north-press.co.uk