The Material Witness program in Frome, Somerset, was held 11th-12th November 2023, hosted by Chris Pig and the Black Pig Printmaking Studio, and focused on woodcuts and linocuts to make Ex Libris style bookplates of our own designs. Chris has worked with practice-based researchers for many years, and has hosted many CHASE students before. We were also joined by Alex, Chris’ extremely talented apprentice, and Amy Jeffs, a UK folk historian with several published books illustrated with self-drawn linocut illustrations supported by Chris’ studio.
Having made our own ways to Frome, we congregated at Chris’ house where we were welcomed and shown around the studio. The walls were lined with Chris’ and Alex’s framed prints, as well as a few by local artists and amateurs who use the studio as a creative space. Racks above our heads were lined with drying prints, which take several days to dry; all styles and sizes were represented, from designs the size of a matchbox to a magnificent lobster the size of a large oil painting. We were told about the history of woodcuts, how different blocks are matched together to seamlessly create larger pictures, and how the process of cutting and inking works. We had all prepared various designs for bookplates beforehand, each representing an image or emblem representative of ourselves. Chris taught us the use of the burin and the scorper, two woodcutting instruments and how to make different lines and patterns with each, holding the tools close to the wood surface for best control. With this we started etching out the negative reverses of our designs.
As we broke for lunch we were introduced into Chris’ house where a delightful Mediterranean-style lunch awaited us, and we were able to chat more generally about our work and passions, making new friends and sharing new experiences. After lunch the work continued; when we felt the piece was ready we took proofs of it on the press, after which we further cleaned up our designs to remove the ‘noise’; pieces of wood that had not been carved deep enough and left traces of ink showing. Once that was done, little by little we started taking proper proofs on fine paper, and hung them up on the racks to dry to take home with us afterwards. Our dinner, a delicious Middle-Eastern style dinner brought in by caterers, was complemented by drinks and piano-playing and relaxing in an artistic setting. Talk ranged from skulls all the way to Victorian comic opera and the arts and crafts movement, and the true diversity of people involved on a common project meant that there was never a dull moment.
The next morning, after a good sleep and fried breakfast at The George, we set to work again. Those who had finished their woodcuts moved on to linocuts, which proved a very different technique. Linoleum proved much easier to cut than wood, but also much more prone to make mistakes on. Very different designs could be produced on each, the clear edges of the woodcuts contrasted with the more flowing wavy designs possible on linoleum. The pressing methods too were very different; a screw-press for wood-blocks, and a large metal rolling machine for linoleum. One more adventurous soul even went for making a plastic-cut design, trying out a new medium with beautiful results. It was really pleasing at the end to see the variety of what was created there, each unique to its creator. We had winged lions, cats in windows, exquisitely-detailed flowing flowers, even self-portraits of the artist at work! Seeing them hanging up to dry truly reminded us that the process of art is about creation, and how each artist can create truly unique yet beautiful designs.
From this Material Witness, I think we all gained a newfound appreciation of the craft and the people who do this as both a hobby and a job. Being able to work alongside Chris and Alex and Amy and seeing their expertise allowed us a small glimpse into the world of the creators on perhaps more unusual mediums, which are sadly rare nowadays. All of us came from different disciplines, from archaeology to feminist studies, but we could all bond over a shared creative process, and a shared beautiful result.
