Daniel Speight: "Printmaking is an unsung hero"
We talked to experimental screenprinter, Daniel Speight, ahead of his opening night of ‘Turn The Page’ - a showcase of his work in Bedminster. Not only will the event be a chance to mingle with some Bristol creatives, but also to try your hand at live printing!
1. What is one thing you wish people knew about screenprinting?
That it doesn't have to be on paper! It is an amazing way of assigning visual information onto any flat surfaces. Despite its technical setup, you can really have fun with creating editions of prints with a real hands-on effect in how it comes out. Imagine it as darkroom printing but with colour, and with a more direct interaction with its surface.
2. What is the most underrated part of the Bristol creative scene?
Printmaking! I have adored Bristol ever since I first started coming here in the late 90’s. The rich, visual culture of graffiti and the way the city has been shaped by the artist community is such an important aspect of Bristol to me. I feel printmaking is an unsung hero in it though. The courses at UWE and Spike Island had enormous influence on me whilst studying, and so many peers have come to Bristol to refine their print knowledge through these respected institutions. For that reason, I’ve always felt that Bristol and printmaking have a strong link. .
Screen printing has a lot of similarities to graffiti in the use of its layers, opacities and transparencies, line registration and, in my interpretation, finding unusual surfaces to work on. I love seeing how paint extends onto various surfaces with a spray can. I feel like this made me look at screenprinting in a different way. Anythign flat will take a print!
To this end, its exciting to see Print Paradiso setting up shop in Bedminster, near to Dean Lane Skate Park - and to have screenprinting closer to the culture of graffiti!
3. You're described as an experimental screenprint artist - what makes your work experimental?
That I’ll print on anything. Traditionally Screen Printing (SP) is known for and used in reproductive printing of graphics for paper posters. I suppose the difference with me is that I don’t see SP as something that can’t be used on 3D objects to create fine art as well. Its a pain but these book-blocks I make rarely get more than three editions made, so perhaps I’m experimental not only with the material possibilities but experimental in the expectations as an analogue form of reprographics. Seeing the work of Andy Warhol started this and then Robert Rauachenbeg pushed screenprinting to such a looser form of image making and totally blew my mind!
4. What inspires your work?
Honestly, I think its material and what can be done with it. Things that tell a story. Its like when you get talking to a random person in the pub, and they start to share something with their own unique perspective on it. Material is the same to me; whether its old pieces of furniture, a piece of ripped wallpaper or nowadays, the literal story bearer- an old book!
When I was young, I remember the milkman would write across the fore edge of his ledger. I started drawing on the yellow pages because of this. Later on, when I discovered screenprinting, and the way it can be utilized in art-making with found materials, I realised I could print directly onto this surface in the same way. Whilst on a pub crawl in East London, I realised the streets resembled bookshelves with their undulating heights and windows into the stories inside them. This was how I started to make these Book Blocks.
5. What is your favourite piece of Art that you have ever seen?
The book, Soft City by Jonathan Raban. I realize that the question refers to visual art, but I found this book so enthralling, it felt like I was being taken on a guided tour around the old streets of London in the 70’s.
It has remained with me ever since…so much so I decided to name my project after it. It’s voice and speculative musings across London made for a completely immersive experience. I love making visual artwork but I think inspiration comes from all sources of curiosity. And if that falls outside of your practice, so much the richer!
Daniel Speight: The Soft City exhibits at 'Turn the Page' at Print Paradiso, 137 East St, Bedminster, Bristol
Opening night is this Friday 21st March from 18.00 - 21.00
Follow him on @thesoftcity
Written by Jessica Blackwell
I’m Jess, the founder of The Everyday Magazine. I work as a Studio Manager for a Boudoir Photography studio and, as a general rule, I like to write about things that would be awkward to discuss with the family.
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