Ron King founded Circle Press in 1967. He chose the name to suggest his vision that a group of like-minded artists and writers could work within a “shared, supportive framework.” He’s been successful—and is one of just a handful of British book artists to do so—in working with over fifty-five artists and at least fifty writers and poets while making Circle Press a pioneering force in the world of artists’ books. The works are made from an extraordinary range of materials—paper, wood, metal, stone, glass, wax—that stretch the concept and definition of the book to its limits. The exhibition, selected entirely from the Center’s collections, traced the history of the press and included related archival drawings, prototypes, blocks, cutting and creasing forms, and wood and metal type.
Credits
It was organized by Elisabeth Fairman, Curator of Rare Books and Archives at the Center, in collaboration with Ron King. The exhibition was made possible with assistance from the British Council.
Top image
Cooking the Books: Ron King and Circle Press installation, photo by Richard Caspole
Extended reading
Cooking the Books: Ron King and the Circle Press
Essay by Andrew Lambirth, descriptions and commentary by Ron King