ABC is a cross-disciplinary forum for makers of artists’ books and ephemera, founded by MA alumna Lilla Duignan in 2009 for students and interested parties based at Bower Ashton. It provides an opportunity to get together for critical and constructive dialogue, to contextualise work, explore ideas and to develop creative practice and theory. ABC meets and works as a group towards exhibitions, projects and participation in regional and national artist’s book fairs and events.
“The perfect space in which mystery meets matter and conjoins, is for me the book”
Allil Enna Nangi-Ud
A £5 membership fee helps us cover the cost of events.
ABC meetings are a mix of physical and online meetings. Details for how to join in are sent out before each meeting.
For questions / membership, please contact Sarah at: Sarah.Bodman@uwe.ac.uk
Weds 19th October 2022, 5.30 – 6pm online – welcome to ABC, info for new members – and invitation to make a book for our themed exhibition in July 2023 at Bower Ashton Library.
Weds 16th November 2022, 6 – 6.45pm online Corinne Welch – talks about her 2021 garden residency and the books made as part of that year’s work.
Weds 7th December 2022, 12.45-1.15pm – lunchtime talk in Special collections area at Bower Ashton – Artist Rachel Smith zooms in to talk about her exhibition Promise the Infinite: Drawing out Babel that is being installed in the library today.
Weds 18th January 2023, 6 – 6.45pm online – Rachel Marsh talks about her practice and letterpress printing.
Weds 15th February 2023, 6 – 6.45pm online – Leonie Bradley and Catherine Cartwright give a talk on collaborative artists’ books.
Thursday 30th March 2023, 11am-3.30pm in person – LAND2 and ABC event artists’ books, prints and nature – Bristol.
Weds 26th April 2023, 6 – 6.45pm online – Angie Butler talks about her practice with artists’ books.
Weds 17th May 2023, 6 – 6.45pm online – Vicky Kaye – visual poet and artist talks about her work including Fractured Light: An Anthology.
Weds 28th June 2023, 6 – 6.45pm online – Rae Holden talks about the Late Night Press and Letterpress.
Weds 19th July 2023, 2-4pm in person event at Bower Ashton show and tell session of books made this academic year.
2021 – 2022 Jo Barnfield and Rae Holden
2020 – 2021 Sarah Bradicich and Jo Barnfield
2019 – 2020 Sarah Bradicich, Csilla Bíro, Gin Saunders and Susannah Sendall
2018 – 2019 Csilla Bíro and Alyn Smith
2017 – 2018 Gen Harrison and Cathey Webb
2016 – 2017 Leonie Bradley and Catherine Cartwright
2015 – 2016 Kate Bernstein and Kate Williamson
2014 – 2015 Stephanie Turnbull
2013 – 2014 Helen Thomas and Bernard Fairhurst
2012 – 2013 Christiane Gruenewald and Sarah Rhys
2011 – 2012 Alice Drake
2010 – 2011 Angie Butler and Lilla Duignan
2009 – 2010 Founder: Lilla Duignan
ABC archive of events from 2009 to present