Nick Hand Brings ‘Press On’ Letterpress Bike to Shetland
Hosted by Gaada in collaboration with Shetland Library
Artist Talk - Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | 1 PM - 2 PM | Shetland Library, Lerwick
Live Letterpress Bookmark Printing - Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 12 PM - 2 PM | Shetland Library, Lerwick
See event page
Gaada invites you to join us in welcoming Bristol-based printmaker Nick Hand and his letterpress-bicycle project, Press On, to the Shetland Library this October.
Nick Hand and his custom-built letterpress bike
Hand’s journey has taken him across the UK on a custom-built letterpress bike in order to celebrate the power of public libraries and the artist press! Equipped with an Adana Letterpress on the back of his bespoke bicycle, Nick has been visiting libraries across Britain, producing one-of-a-kind bookmarks in collaboration with local artists.
Hand explains what has brought him to the other side of the country, “Libraries enrich communities and people, so visiting Shetland is really important because it shows the importance of reaching communities as well as a place to ensure that books about or published in Shetland are kept and available to this and future generations.”
Helen Balfour making a proof print of her bookmark linocut design in the Toogs Artist Workshop
The Shetland stop is particularly special, showcasing a bookmark designed by Shetland artist Helen Balfour, which includes a traditional Shetland riddle - "Guddicks are part of Shetland's rich literary traditions. Highlighting all the best aspects of Shaetlan and our community humour.” Attendees will have the chance to print these unique bookmarks themselves and see if they are able to solve Balfour’s guddick, who is “thrilled to have been asked to produce a design for Press On, and I hope people will enjoy printing their own bookmarks."
Gaada co-founder, Daniel Clark highlights the importance of linking up with the Shetland Library, “both organisations are inherently entwined with a love for print, creativity and learning, offering access to collections of materials + facilities which nurture Shetland’s cultural heritage and inspire new creative works.”
Catherine Jeromson from Shetland Library speaks more about Nick’s journey - “Cycling to Shetland in October is ambitious. Cycling to Shetland in October with a printing press attached to your bike to celebrate Libraries is simply heroic! We are honoured that Nick is taking his ‘Press On’ tour of UK Libraries to us. We’re really looking forward to finding out more about traditional letterpress printing, how it has evolved and creating something special while he is here.”
Nick will be doing an artist talk at the Shetland Library on Wednesday, October 16th from 1 PM - 2 PM. On the following day, Thursday 16th October from 12 PM - 2 PM the letterpress will be in action and visitors are invited to try out printing their very own bookmark! These are free events, with donations welcome to support Nick’s ongoing journey.
Nick printing on the road
