A Hand-made Artist Book
A hand-made book containing new art work and poetry reflecting the world of the 15th century Paston Letters was launched last October in Paston Church in North Norfolk.
The book has been made using a revolutionary new non-toxic printmaking technique that mirrors the innovative “technology” of writing letters in English employed by the Pastons over half a millennium ago. It also fits in with 21st century concern for the environment.
The Paston's Country project is organised by the Paston Heritage Society under the leadership of local teacher and artist Lucy Care, with heavy involvement by printmaker Annette Rolston and other members of the collaborative InPrint group of artists and poets. Other local artists and poets have also contributed.
More information about events is available on the Paston Heritage Society website created by InPrint artist Mike Fenton at:
Contact:
Lucy Care of the Paston Heritage Society at
lucyecare@aol.com
or at Dayspring, Mundesley Road, Paston NR28 9TE. Phone 01262 720164 or:
Paston Heritage Society
01263 833820
Grapevine Gallery
An exhibition including the book and other related art works will be at the Grapevine Gallery on Unthank Road in Norwich from 29th March to 18th April 2009
The Paston's Country project
AN AMAZING WEEKEND
Paston Church, St. Margarets,
photo by Annette Rolston
The "amazing weekend" forecast for the Paston exhibition turned out to be exactly that, with the sun shining brightly throughout, and medieval characters to be found enjoying the unexpected warmth of the sun in the graveyard, as well as fulfilling such functions as scrivener and paper-maker inside. In the normally cold church the atmosphere was temperate, even for the Latin Compline on the Saturday evening, when fog paid a fleeting visit outside.
The Private View on the Friday evening was a big success, with a fascinating film of the project being followed by a poetry reading, in which InPrint poets Caroline Gilfillan, Lisa D'Onofrio and Tim Lenton took part.
The handmade, leather-bound book had centre stage, with me turning the pages and explaining the background (see photo below). Prints and poems from the book were on display. Small facsimiles of the book were very popular at £10 a time, and two copies of the big book, priced at £1250 each, were ordered during the weekend.
Me showing the book,
photo by Tim Lenton.
On the Saturday Lisa and myself offered a workshop, and bookbinder Judith Ellis from Aylsham demonstrated her skills. There were further poetry readings from the InPrint poets and from the other Paston poets – Dot Cobley, Kay Riggs, Rob Knee and Adrian Ward. Natural England organised a couple of visits to the Great Barn, which is rarely accessible. Visitors to the exhibition were augmented by a large party of ramblers who happened by and who found the whole project fascinating.
Horses Brawl in rehearsal,
photo by Tim Lenton
Sunday was dominated by the visit of medieval music interpreters Horses Brawl, who rehearsed during the afternoon and put on a concert of 18 songs in the evening, interspersed by readings from the Paston Letters. One of the pieces, sung by Jennie Cassidy, was from a manuscript found in the church in the 1920s and dating back to the time of the Pastons. It was believed to be the first time it had been heard since that time, and it was beautifully sung by Jennie.