Stamp of Disapproval June 9, 2017- August 13, 2017 Lerner Bindery Gallery

During my time as rubber stamp in residence at MCBA, several exhibitions took place. 

Curated from MCBA’s S. Helmes and W. Gaglione Rubber Stamp Archive, this exhibition features the art of resistance through physical stamps, correspondence art and fake postage stamps. Work demonstrates how the authority of a seal or stamp can be usurped for social and political commentary.

http://www.mnbookarts.org/stamp-of-disapproval-work-from-the-s-helmes-and-w-gaglione-rubber-stamp-archive/#more-8704







































I recorded the exhibition for this blog. Take a look! 

Rubber Stamp Workshops - Spring/Summer

Since my last post, I've been organising and preparing with several institutions a number of Rubber Stamp Workshops for the spring and summer months. 

First up, Rubber Stamp Artistamps at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Saturday, 10 June; 10:30 – 16:30
£92/£74

Explore the possibilities of rubber stamping techniques in this one day workshop led by Stephen Fowler. Taking inspiration from the V&A collections, students will learn how to carve and print their own rubber stamps to be used to create an edition of artist postage stamp sheets to share and take away.
Suitable for beginners, all materials provided

https://www.vam.ac.uk/shop/whatson/index/view/id/4845/event/Rubber-Stamps-and-Artist-Stamps/dt/2017-06-10/eType/1/free/2

Next: the Idler Academy,  
Sunday 18th June
The Idler Academy at Great Western Studios, 65 Alfred Road, London W2 5EU
1:30pm – 6pm
£75

Over the course of this one-day workshop, you will realise the creative potential of D.I.Y rubber stamp printing. You will be taught how to carve rubber stamps from erasers, make single colour and multi-colour stamp prints, and to bind a limited editioned pamphlet book to house the group’s stamp impressions, as a keepsake for the day. All materials will be provided, and the price includes a Hendrick’s gin & tonic at the end of the session. We are offering a special Father’s Day gift discount: buy two tickets for only £100 (instead of £150) and invite your father, or someone special, along to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon creating your own rubber stamping pamphlet. 
Just call 0203 176 7907 or email mail@idler.co.uk to take advantage of this offer.

And finally;
University of the West of England, Bristol.
Tuesday 8th - Thursday 10th August 2017 at the Bower Ashton Studios, UWE Bristol, UK BS3 2JT. £200/£160
All materials, teas/coffees and lunch are included in the price

Another chance to catch my Artistamp Workshop, this is a more extensive workshop spread over 3 days. 


Artiststamps, or artists’ stamps, are closely associated with mail art; they reflect its spirit of marrying art and the everyday. Stamps signify payment, and mail artists test and tease the postal system with their playful appropriation of this official form of evidence.

Create an array of stamps during this workshop by learning how to carve rubber stamps from erasers and a number of DIY perforation techniques. 

The famous CFPR perforating machine will be available to use and Stephen will teach you how to create single and multiple-coloured stamp impressions, and mask and position rubber stamps accurately.You will be encouraged to send your results through the post to a national and international networks of mail artists.


http://store.uwe.ac.uk/product-catalogue/short-courses/faculty-of-arts-creative-industries-and-education/cpd-courses/centre-for-fine-print-research-cpd-courses/artistamps-full-price

Rubber Stamp Portraits at the London Book Launch

We were overjoyed to have Paddy Malloy's "Brave New Face " portrait stall at the London Launch of "Rubber Stamping" . It was a raving success !
Here are a few examples - more to follow !


Paper and Stamp pads were supplied by GFSmith and Blade Rubber Stamps

Mail Art Envelopes.

How did the UWE summer school Artistamps get to their destinations ? 
I sent them off in these rubber stamped envelopes. 

Mail Art isn't just a thing,its a process as well. 
Being the recipient can be an euphoric experience,and the posting can be a magical as well. 
If you're lucky, post office clerks will join in, and collaborate with you, taking time (much to the annoyance to the remaining queue) to select colour, or theme related commemorative postage stamps for your mail.

Artistamps from UWE summer school

During one the summer months I ran a summer school at the Centre for Fine Print Research, part of University of the West of England. The focus was Artistamps, participants made sheets of postage stamps out of carved erasers and perforated paper. Using a variety of methods they made the classic perforated marks; adapted sowing machines, roulette leather tools (with funky foam underneath when piercing paper), and the department's victorian perforating machine, were all employed

" Snail Mail " stamps by Charlotte Hall.

Craig Atkinson stamps

" Obsolete " stamps by Jane

Space Race themed Artistamps by Steve Tarry.

" Secret " Stamps by Chloe Alexander

" Donkey " & Ice "Scream" stamps by Rebecca Weeks
" Cats " by Jen Goldsworthy