Coracle Press
In 1975 the first publications from Coracle.
So named by Simon Cutts as ‘ a one man boat’.
I drew the little Coracle which became the press mast head. Simon used the adana press - which was squeezed into a space under the stairs –to print the braids book. This used my drawings done at Birmingham during my final project on Native Indian textiles.
The construction was magical, the braids held together the pages - Plis Selon Plis. (Fold upon Fold).
Click to enlarge
A Book of Braids : Simon Cutts and Kay Roberts. 8 pages and interleaved braids.
10 colours. Edition of 50 copies. 20 signed by author and artist.
Price £12 signed and £7 unsigned.
An elaborate delicacy intentioned to pay for the first of the Drawing series!
From my braid drawings done at Birmingham College of Art 1971:
A flier announcing Coracle Press was sent out January 1975
Other works or editions were to be part of a yearly mailing (at £1) and some were made.
“You are welcome to visit Coracle Press at the address on the flyleaf of this catalogue, to see the painting constructional works and prints of associated artists and poets.’
The first group exhibition in July 1975, was at Midland Group in Nottingham, entitled
‘The Weatherhouse and Other Works’
The first book & the first using the printer Edward Wells, using litho, was David Willett’s Transit of Venus, again in 1975.
We did have a private display of works at an apartment owned by an American record producer, but I have no date or more information, just a memory.
When the house in Brymer Road was earmarked for demolition Simon Cutts found a property for lease in Camberwell New Road. This was near Brian Lane, who we had recently met, again through the Hamilton Finlay link.
The ground floor space needed paint stripping & years of newspaper packing on the walls removed, thanks to the help of Martin Fidler, Stephen Duncalf and Brian Lane.
I simply was the hot meal provider each evening, walking up from Brymer Road, after getting home from working as a print technician at Sir John Cass School of Art in Whitechapel.
This allowed me to print the photographs I took of the space and, eventually, installation shots of the exhibitions.
Underneath the layers beautiful tongue & groove walls were exposed & the space, higher than it was wide.
Coracle Press became Coracle Press Gallery then Coracle Gallery