Angie Butler

Artists' Books and Letterpress Intern at the CFPR

Angie graduated (with distinction), from the MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking Course, at The University Of The West Of England (UWE) in June 2011.

One of the main reasons Angie applied to study specifically at UWE was because her practice had shifted. She had knowledge of Book Arts Research at CFPR through her growing interest in Artists’ Books: attending various Book Arts Fairs, Projects, Exhibitions and Events, and meeting up with Sarah Bodman & Tom Sowden. Angie realised that studying at an institution with this particular research facility would be of direct benefit to her emerging practice as a Multi-Disciplinary Artist with a specific interest in all things Book Art - so she did. (Angie wrote this bit, by the way, not us!)

Awarded two prizes for her recent Artists’ Books: the Sheffield Book Arts Prize (Student Prize) 2009, and the Agassi Book Arts Prize, UWE, 2011, Angie now holds two Masters Degrees (the first being in Visual Culture: Fine Art): and has enjoyed working at various Institutions across the UK, Europe, US, and S.E. Asia, as both Visiting Artist and Lecturer for the past ten years. Her work is held in both UK, and International Private and Public Collections.

Over the past three years, Angie has been involved with various Artists’ Books Exhibitions, Symposiums and Conferences organised by Sarah and Tom: and Collaborative Projects and Events with fellow MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking alumna Lilla Duignan, alongside the development of her independent research practice.

Angie carried out a residency at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in 2010. As the largest and most comprehensive centre of its kind in the United States, Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that takes many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and bookbinding to experimental art making and self-publishing techniques, MCBA supports the limitless creative evolution of book arts. Spending time at MCBA alongside the encouragement and support of Jeff Rathermel (Executive Director MCBA) and other key members of the Minneapolis Artist Community; was a seminal experience, and had a hugely positive effect on Angie, and the continued development of her Book Arts practice.

Attending workshops at MBCA was an inspiring introduction to Letterpress through the generous nature and expertise of Award winning Book Artist and Letterpress Printer, Chip Schilling. After returning home from MCBA, Angie has carried out Letterpress Internships at CFPR for the past two Summers: implementing systems for good studio practice she had seen at MCBA; to improve procedures and processes in Typesetting and Letterpress at UWE in 2010, and assisting with the Letterpress Summer Institute Courses at CFPR, delivered by Tom Sowden in 2011.

As part of her Book Arts Internship at CFPR Angie Butler has set up LEN: a Letterpress Research and Development Group for MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking Students at UWE. LEN is the practical strand of a larger research project Angie is developing in conjunction with other liaising institutions, Printers, and Book Artists in the UK, and abroad

See examples of Angie’s work and Download her CV at www.petgalerie.co.uk

Link to the LEN blog