Creative Review — ‘Studio visits’
From the archives / 26 November 2010 . . .
Mr Smith’s Letterpress Workshop / Iliffe Yard
“In the second of Creative Reviews studio visit films — made in collaboration with design consultancy ‘Order’ — we visited the London workshop of independent letterpress typographer Mr Smith.”
This has been a very helpful short film — it was made along time ago now (it seems), and the young guys that made it at Order had just come out of the Royal College of Art — they really got it spot on. It helped launch Mr Smith’s Letterpress Workshop (as it was then) in Iliffe Yard, in Walworth.
I had been in Academia for ten years and I was aiming to inject the rigour of research and teaching design into my own practice. The attention to detail; the questions asked and the slow long shots helped purvey the craft and philosophy I was exploring.
Museums at Night — a cultural event
‘William Morris Gallery to host night of traditional printing
Visitors to Walthamstow’s William Morris Gallery can try their hand at traditional printing techniques this month when it hosts a free event as part of the Museums at Night festival. Typographic artist Kelvyn Laurence Smith, aka ‘Mr Smith and his Letterpress Workshop’ — will be appearing at the Gallery on Thursday 15 May from 18:30 — 22.30.
Under Mr Smith’s expert guidance Gallery visitors will use traditional type to create beautiful prints of Morris’s essay ‘Art and Socialism’. They will be encouraged to display the resulting prints where they live, at work or out in the community. To set the mood, the evening will include performances from ‘Art and Socialism’ by the Forest Poets, insights into the Gallery’s special collection and mathematical games. Treats will be served in the Gallery’s Tea Room throughout the evening. The Gallery got the chance to host Mr Smith’s Letterpress Workshop after winning the public voting stage of Connect10, a competition that teams up museums with contemporary artists to run an event during Museums at Night.’
Mr Smith’s Rules
A love letter to letterpress.
A glimpse into craftsman Kelvyn Smith’s well-oiled letterpress workshop in South London.
Passionate about the traditional skill, yet updated with a contemporary consideration —
Kelvyn has devised his own personal philosophy ‘Smith’s Rules’ which he incorporates daily into his life and work.
Director & Editor — Gemma Farshi
DOP — Tom Isherwood
Sound — Nicky Primetica
Music
Down and Around — Podington Bear
published by Victrola Dog
Sneeuwland — Oskar Schuster
published by Bad Panda Records
Filmed at Mr. Smith’s Letterpress Workshop in Kennington South London.
Big thanks to Kelvyn Smith for being so generous with his time.
