The Lytlewode Press: a survey

  
  Delshan Gallery is proud to host the first survey exhibition of artists'books and graphics published by The Lytlewode Press. To be held in August, this first exhibition of publications from The Lytlewode Press reveals an extraordinary range of art 'collectables'. The Lytlewode Press publishes artists' multiples and specialises in the publication of original graphic prints, photographs by, or of, artists, artists' books containing original graphic prints and posthumous editions of graphic prints and photographs. This exhibition will coincide with the worldwide launch of The Lytlewode Press in August 2006.

Books published by The Lytlevwde Press are most often described as `luxurious'. Robert C. Littlewood, chairman of The Lytlewode Press, has developed a reputation for creating high quality, limited edition books published in the private press genre. Most contain original signed graphic prints and photographs, not only to enhance the aesthetic qualities of each book, but also to ensure longevity in the secondary marketplace. As 'The Age' critic Peter Timms noted, `Given that the book includes ten signed etchings by John OLsen, the price is really very reasonable but, nevertheless, this entire venture has luxury written all over it ... we find something immensely satisfying about ventures such as 'New York Nowhere.'

The philosophy of The Lytlewode Press is to create `books of our time' in the Private Press genre. These books use current technologies as well as reaching into the past to harness traditional printing techniques. The Private Press and artists' books feature quality materials and production techniques such as: pure rag paper stock; linotype set text; letterpress printing; finely printed illustrations; archival quality photographs; original graphic prints (linocuts, screen prints, wood engravings, and etchings). Both fine trade and craft bindings are in emu, kangaroo or ostrich, together with other exotic skins and the finest bookbinding cloths.

Some of the artists, writers and photographers whose work is represented in the product range of The Lytiewode Press include: David Boyd, James Calder, Brian Dunlop, Geoffrey Dutton, David Frazer, Derham Groves, Pro Hart, Edward B. Heffernan, Leigh Hobbs, Tony Irving, Robert Jacks, Professor Li, Lionel Lindsay, Norman Lindsay, Caitlin Littlewood, Robert C Littlewood, John Olsen, Geoffrey Ricardo, John Shirlow, Andrew Sibley, Irena Sibley, Richard Spare, Leslie Tarrant, Wainburranga known as Paddy Fordham and Keith Wingrove.
 

Artist projects being exhibited at Delshan Gallery

David Boyd
Reconciliation-an Australian odyssey is a private press book and limited edition of hand-coloured etchings published by The Lytlewode Press. The deluxe version of this book contains 23 signed etchings together with a drawing by David Boyd.

Pro Hart
A series of five books are being published by The Lytlewode Press featuring Pro Hart original etchings. Between 2002 and 2004, The Lytlewode Press published 120 graphic prints for Pro Hart during what will,in retrospect, be viewed as his last great burst of artistic energy in a career spanning more than 50 years.

Norman Lindsay
A Studio Album is a limited edition photo album presenting 30 original photographs of nude models taken by Norman Lindsay between 1909 and 1914. Printed directly from the glass negatives, the photographs are also published in a larger format, again limited in their edition.

John Olsen
Australian poet and writer Geoffrey Dutton and artist John Olsen collaborated to allow The Lytlewode Press to publish Dutton's last great poem, New York Nowhere, together with ten signed etchings by John Olsen. The book also contains photographs of the men by Robert C Littlewood who recorded Geoffrey Dutton reading his epic poem a few weeks before he died.

Geoffrey Ricardo
A Heart's Verse by Geoffrey Ricardo is an exceptional book featuring 12 multiple plate aquatints with statements exploring `love' from a male perspective. Walt Whitman's evocative poem 'A Woman Waits For Me' is also presented within this magnificent book, bound in Australian-grown ostrich skin.

John Shiriow
Ten Etchings by John Shirlow is a folio of original etchings presented as a posthumous edition. It celebrates the centenary of the first folio of etchings published by an Australian artist.

Paddy Fordham
Wainburranga, known as Paddy Fordham, created seven sugar lift etchings for The Lytlewode Press in 2003. Each etching features a Dreamtime person as a single design motif.

Private press books and editions of graphic prints published by The Lytlewode Press are intended to be unique, high quality collectables, The price range of these publications makes them accessible to a wide range of collectors.
Prices for books currently range between $40 and $12,000.
Prices for graphic prints and photographs currently range between $120 and $2,500
 

  
   
 

The Lytlewode Press: a survey will be exhibited at Delshan Gallery from 15-27 August.
1185 High Street Armadale Victoria Australia
www.delshangallery.com
For further information, please phone the gallery on 03 9822 9440