Nuts & Bolts (N&B) is an independent publishers based in North Manchester, England. The aim of the press is the production of books that, in some way, reference the physicality of the printed object. Utilising the book, and the language often associated to describe/define them, as triggers for new publications.

Materiality as a source of content, from faded covers to altered endpapers. With a focus on creating publications that employ marginalia, dog ears, ephemera found in books, graffitied pages, re-appropriated content, and other additions.

In 2022 N&B staged a book launch for How Pam Felt Before Pam Fled by Daniella Hughes Watson, the second publication released by the press, in Manchester. For the event ephemera was produced in the form of beer mats and bookmarks, each bearing the N&B logo.

An individual requested I post out two of each for his ever-growing ephemera collection. Weeks later a modified bookmark arrived in the post. This unsolicited act prompted the idea of approaching artists to alter a bookmark. No parameters were put in place, the artists were free to alter the bookmark however they chose, a solitary bookmark was posted to each artist who accepted the invitation with a prepaid envelope included for the return.

Many of the invited artists are active in the small press world, illustrating the generosity of this global network.

Each iteration of the exhibition will result in the addition of a new modified bookmark from an invited artist based in the hosting city.

N&B aims to produce a limited variable edition of a selection of these objects after the UK shows.

Invited artists (listed in the order the bookmarks arrived back in the post):
Michael Hampton – Daniella Watson Hughes – Dean Hughes – David Osbaldeston – David Bellingham – Ed Hadfield – Gregory Betts – Derek Beaulieu – Nina Chua – Noel Clueit – Maeve Rendle – Greg Thomas – Magnus Quaife – Louise Giovanelli – Ian Hartshorne – Brian Mountford – Claudia De La Torre – Imogen Reid – Matthew Houlding –David Mackintosh – Pavel Büchler – David Blackmore.

Joe Devlin

To view more works by Joe Devlin, visit Nuts and Bolts Publishing. Joe Devlin can also be found on Twitter/ X and Instagram.

This exhibition is open to the public Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. No booking needed. The library is on the first floor of B block.

The exhibition will also be open to the public during the weekend of Bristol Artist’s Book Event (BABE) Sat 29 and Sun 30 June 2024, 11am – 5pm each day, free event all welcome.

For more information on Bower Ashton Library, visitor access and campus map, see the library website. You can also follow the library’s Twitter feed.

UWE Bristol, City Campus at Bower Ashton, Kennel Lodge Road, Bristol BS3 2JT.