WSA hosts first Artists' Book & Zine Fair
Over two days in March, Winchester School of Art held the University of Southampton’s inaugural Artist Book & Zine Fair, Into the Fold.
The free event showcased over 35 artist book and zine makers from across the UK and welcomed nearly 400 visitors. A particular aim was to involve students both from WSA and local institutions, giving them a valuable opportunity to sell and showcase their work alongside established artists. It also focused on giving a platform to local artists and community groups and this regional flavour to the fair received very positive feedback.
During the fair visitors were able to view the Artists’ Book Collection at WSA Library with Catherine Polley and hear from James Macdonell from the Library’s Digital Scholarship team, who talked about 3D modelling processes. He gave visitors a chance to handle some examples of 3D artists’ books and demonstrated his current Augmented Reality project. There was also an exhibition by WSA alumnus Daniel Lehan in the WSA Library foyer and two further exhibitions to enjoy: Moving Colour, the current exhibition in The Winchester Gallery curated by WSA Printmaking Fellow, Julia Vogl; and MA Fashion Design and MA Textile Design’s Reimagined exhibition displaying vibrant student work across the walls and ceilings of the art school
On the Friday afternoon alumnus Sebastiane Hegarty performed his annual Silence on Loan event and in the evening, there was a second exciting live performative event with artist Alec Stevens. This involved Alec setting light to a fuse attached to the cover of his artists’ book, Gloria in Excess, without which it could not be opened. Eszter Evans made a short film of this performance, and copies of the book are now in the Library’s Artists Book Collection.
Into the Fold was co-created by Catherine Polley, Head of Collections Engagement, University of Southampton Library and Katherine Anteney, WSA alumna and book artist.
Catherine said:
“It has long been an ambition of mine to realise an artist book and zine fair at Winchester School of Art given that the Library holds such a significant collection of artists books and the collection is integral to so many of the programmes that are taught at the School. It was a perfect opportunity to bring together students and book artists and to open the doors of the University to the public and our local communities. I was delighted at the visitor numbers for our first fair and the positive feedback we have received.
On behalf of all the team involved in Into the Fold I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend and be a part of the success of our first Artist Book & Zine Fair. It was such an exciting couple of days. We hope those who were able to join us enjoyed it as much as the organising team, artists, and exhibitors.
After a short breather we are looking forward to planning next year’s event!
Some of the comments shared by visitors included:
“Wonderful to see so many artists’ works on display! Brilliant fair - thank you!”
“A great event – very friendly and welcoming!”
“Amazing! Please do every year!”
Photo credits: Dave Gibbons