FAG BREAK IN THE COURTYARD
Following on from the sneaky peek post, I got just got my photos back from the day out to Brighton to help the fantastic Harriet Bridgwater hand-print our 100 EPs. Previously, she has designed and printed the Tall Ships EP that sold out so quickly, that another run of 250 had to be produced just a week after the first batch went on sale.
Bridgwater is originally from Falmouth, where she studied Fine Art, and now resides in Brighton as an au pere and print-extraordinaire. She is also an artist in the Ministry Of Progress, and a very efficient young lady.
Hello love, thanks again for the EP sleeves. Can you tell everyone a bit about yourself?
I am one quarter of the art collective Ministry of Progress, we operate both on- and offline, curating exhibitions and interactive events. I am primarily and artist and printer, screenprinting is my medium, but I'm generally just into working manually. Recently, I printed and folded 250 sleeves for Tall Ships, basically by myself, but I guess you gotta earn your keep if you're an artist in residence, especially for those lazy toe-rags.
I recall many a conversation about John Stezaker, could you scrape the surface of his genius for us?
Rad. His eye is amazing.
Bridgwater is originally from Falmouth, where she studied Fine Art, and now resides in Brighton as an au pere and print-extraordinaire. She is also an artist in the Ministry Of Progress, and a very efficient young lady.
Hello love, thanks again for the EP sleeves. Can you tell everyone a bit about yourself?
I am one quarter of the art collective Ministry of Progress, we operate both on- and offline, curating exhibitions and interactive events. I am primarily and artist and printer, screenprinting is my medium, but I'm generally just into working manually. Recently, I printed and folded 250 sleeves for Tall Ships, basically by myself, but I guess you gotta earn your keep if you're an artist in residence, especially for those lazy toe-rags.
You have been pretty prolific recently with band artwork. How did you get into printing?
I got into it in my first year of Uni, I had always wanted to try it, this was mainly down to Andy Warhol. It's just so flat and clean; texture scares me. It's something about the repetition that is so satisfying without being arduous. Obviously labour is the most part of it, but my biceps will talk to you about that.
We noticed how damn efficient you are, which albums are currently keeping you focussed?
Well, Tall Ships of course! Actually, I have never listened to them in the studio before, that would just be twee. We have an old tape player which has a 'rock n roll' mix-tape in it which I end up listening to a lot when I forget to bring CDs. its got lots of Rolling Stones, Primal Scream and Stone Roses on it. When I remember CDs at the moment its LCD Soundsystem 'Sound of Silver', I have just realised how good it is, and of course Fleetwood Mac.Which other disciplines do you dabble in?
Always collage. I also like to do big drawing projects occasionally, it's good for discipline.I recall many a conversation about John Stezaker, could you scrape the surface of his genius for us?
I was lucky enough to attend a very small seminar he was running at Uni once but I made the mistake of going out all night beforehand and not being able to enjoy his wise words fully. We got to look though the proof copy of his new book and ask him lots of questions.
Rad. His eye is amazing.
He is an incredible artist, his image collection spans two floors of his house now and he is extending it further! He takes days considering compositions for his collages and holds such respect for the images he uses.
Finally, a little birdy tells me you're going to America?
Yeah I'm going to America with my friend Naomi for three months; we are going to buy a car and everything. At some point we will be living like cowgirls and visiting space centers.
Just make sure you take some damn slides!
Promise!
Find more of Harriet's work at Modern Milk, and check out the Ministry of Progress