Guy Begbie
‘Architectural Paper Based Book Construction’ (GB 2015)
My practice is multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary with specific focus on artists books/bookworks. These are realised using printmaking, drawing, painting, small scale casting, video media and bookbinding. My current book works are made as responses to architectural built environments and the sculptural aspects of both urban and natural landscapes.
I have a specific interest in examining parallels between the book and architectural structures, in conjunction with non-linear image and text based narrative, concerning site and place.
When making book works, my conceptual framework also addresses the potential for the opened configured book to be a physical container of space and object. The time-based aspect of the book is also significant in my practice, sometimes realised through filmic moving image and sound in video shorts. These are usually made as counterpart extensions of book-based concepts.
My books often allude to the theme of passage, dérive or walking through landscape. They are constructed to be opened out and configured as freestanding, displayed structures that convey a sense of the visual poetics of contained architectural and sculptural layered space.
The book works are usually made using a variety of bookbinding & paper engineering methodologies. These are applied to analogue & digitally printed/paper based media and appropriated reconfigured book material.
Many of the works can be viewed in multi-configurations, held in the hands for more intimate tactile thumbing through viewing/reading engagement or opened up, extended and displayed freestanding in the round as physically expanded sculptural structures containing architecturally immersive non-linear narratives.
In my practice, I often make paper based concertina books of a conventional scale when folded down closed. However they expand upwards, downwards and horizontally when opened out, with the possibility of multi configurations to cover a much larger surface area than that of the closed book.
The transition of the folded closed book from a flat object to a configured multi dimensional and faceted container structure never fails to intrigue me.
I also sometimes make accompanying small scale sculptural cast non-paper based artefacts which are realised as architectural/ objects. These counterpart works are made to a book scale in cement, plaster, beeswax and lead. They are cast in improvised paper based and alginate moulds. When configured together in juxtaposition with the paper based book works, the book and its page facets has the potential to spatially intersect with and contain the cast sculptural objects.
As well as providing a contrast in the juxtaposition of materials, the cast forms also provide compositional starting points for a drawing/hand rendering process onto and into the book pages, which becomes narrative content. This drawing process is carried out in parallel with the book’s construction and binding.
Other drawing approaches include the 3D scanning of book and cast fabrications. The scans then provide a foundation image resource for 2D page layout compositions made with superimposed digital drawing and typographic content.
The analogue drawing methodologies made directly into the book, include the use of a variety of applied surface media, as well as page perforation, folding, cut through forms and page apertures. These methods of rendering, highlight the nature of page layering as well as paper qualities. The paper stock used, may be varied to include the opaque, translucent and pages with colour, as well as fragments of appropriated printed library discard material. Dramatic emphasis of cut and perforated forms through page surfaces can be achieved by lighting and the subsequent shadows cast over and through the work.
‘Architectural Paper Based Book Construction’ 3D Scan (GB 2017)
Academic Qualifications
MA Multidisciplinary Printmaking
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
2000
Teaching Award: Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
1999
Bookbinding City & Guilds
Brunel College, Bristol, UK
1992 -1996
BA (Hons) Graphic Design/Illustration
Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, UK
1984
Higher Education Employment / External Examiner
London College of Communication
University of the Arts London, UK
External Examiner for Postgraduate & Undergraduate Courses
BA (Hons) Book Arts
PGCert Book Arts
PGDip Book Restoration
2005 – 2009
Higher Education Employment / Teaching
University of the West of England: Bristol, UK
Associate Lecturer
Undergraduate/Postgraduate & Continuing Professional Development Courses in Book Arts, Graphic Design, Printmaking, Drawing & Contemporary Applied & Fine Arts
1995 – 2019
Swansea School of Art, University of Wales: Swansea, UK
Trinity Saint David
Visiting Lecturer/Practitioner
Textiles Dept, delivering staff CPD
2017
Royal College of Art: London, UK
Visiting Lecturer
Mixed Media Textiles, School of Material: ‘Stitch & Book Structure Workshop in a Manifesto Context’
2015
The Centre for Contemporary Printmaking (Trykkeriet) Bergen, Norway
Devised & taught a Bespoke 3 day Book Workshop for professional artists collaborating on a book arts project supported by the Norwegian Art Council & Vederlagsfondet (the fund of Norwegian Visual Artists).
2015
Masters Programme,
Department of Drawing,
The Faculty of Fine Arts of San Carlos,
The Polytechnic University of Valencia,
Valencia, Spain
Visiting Lecturer/Practitioner delivering teaching to Masters level student cohort. ‘Artists Books: Two-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional’
2014
University of Portsmouth: Portsmouth, UK
Visiting Speaker & Lecturer
BA (Hons) Illustration
2015 & 2017
University of Worcester: Worcester, UK
Visiting Lecturer
BA (Hons) Illustration
2014
University of Brighton: Brighton, UK
Visiting Lecturer
BA Hons Fine Art (printmaking)
2013
The Interactive Design Institute: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire)
Lecturer delivering online teaching
BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Illustration
2013 – 2017
Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary
Arts: University of Bath: Bath, UK
Bookbinding Tutor
2012- 2013
Hereford College of Arts: Hereford, UK
Book Arts Coordinator and Lecturer
Delivering teaching for:
BA (Hons) courses in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Art, Fine Art Blacksmithing, Photography, Contemporary Applied Arts, Spatial Design, Textiles and Art & Design Foundation Diploma
2000 – 2012
Cardiff School of Art & Design, UWIC: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Visiting lecturer
BA Hons Fine Art (printmaking) Student delivery & Continuing Professional Development for academic staff
2007 – 2008
University of Gloucestershire: Cheltenham, UK
Visiting Lecturer
BA (Hons) Illustration & Fine Art Printmaking
2007 – 2008
Winchester School of Art:
University of Southampton, UK
Visiting Lecturer
BA Hons Graphic Design & Fine Art
2007, 2008 & 2013
Independent Book Arts Workshop & Bookbinding Course Provider 2007 – 2019
Devising & Delivery of Interdisciplinary bespoke CPD Book Making Workshops for Artists & Designers. Content includes practice based research & development of book structures, investigating sequential & non-linear narrative outcomes, with both typographic and image applications. Delivered in Higher Education, Museums, Libraries, Design Agencies, Arts & Cultural Events.
Courses & workshops have been delivered for the following organisations:
State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Siganto Foundation Artists’ Books Workshop & Masterclass
April 2016
Firestation Print Studio, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2016 & 2017
Newcastle Printmakers Workshop, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
2016
John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester, UK
Northern Print, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Humber Mouth Festival Of Literature, Hull, UK
Bath Festivals, Bath Central Library, Bath, UK
Gloucestershire Print Cooperative, Stroud, UK
Hay Festival, Hay-on–Wye, UK
CTLAD Conference, Lisbon, Portugal
Eastside Projects Birmingham in Collaboration with the Royal College of Art: London, UK
Prema Arts Centre, Stroud, UK
Spike Island International Centre, Bristol, UK
ARLIS Conference, Bristol, UK
Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen, Wales, UK
Artist Residencies
Artist’s Book and Printmaking Residencies Overseas
Artist in Residence Researching & Developing New Works at:
2017: Cicada Press, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
2016: Canberra School of Art, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
2016: Queensland College of Art, Griffith Centre for Creative Arts Research,
Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Published Artists’ Book Reviews and Essays
Artists’ Book Reviewer: Book Arts Newsletter: UWE:
Artists’ Book Reviews in BAN numbers 31, 33, 35, 36, 39
Artist’s Book Year Book 2006 – 2007
Impact Press 2005 (ed) Sarah Bodman
ISBN 0 9543810 9 2
Photo Essay
Exhibition Catalogue A Tale of Two Cities
Impact Press 2001 (ed) Sarah Bodman
ISBN 0 9536076 6 6
Photo Essay
Selection of Artist Book Work Practice Referenced in Publications
‘Code X: Contemporary Fine Bindings’
Canberra Craft Bookbinders 2017 : Terence Uren
ISBN 978-0-9876211-0-8
‘Unshelfmarked: Reconceiving the artists’ book’
Uniformbooks 2015 Michael Hampton UK
ISBN 978-1-910010-06-8
‘Limp Bindings From The Vatican Library’
Langwe 2013 Monica Langwe Sweden
ISBN 978-91-637-2379-7
‘Creating Artists’ Books’
A&C Black/Watson Guptill 2005 Sarah Bodman UK
ISBN-10: 0713665092
ISBN-13: 978-0713665093
Research Paper/Public Lecture
Presentations
State Library of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia
Siganto Foundation Artists’ Book Lecture 2016
April 2016
University of Newcastle NSW, Australia
Public Lecture On Book Arts Practice
June 2016
The Society of Bookbinders Conference 2015
Keele University, UK
Conference Presentation on Practice
‘Non-Linear Narrative Page Structures
& Sculptural Book Forms’
2015
‘Artists Book Symposium Seminar 2′
University Of the West of England, Bristol, UK
Presentation 2009
Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, UK
‘Artist Talks On Artists Books’ Symposium
Presentation
2007
3rd CLTAD Conference: ‘Enhancing Curricula’, Lisbon, Portugal
Presentation & Book Making Workshop:
2006
New York Centre For Book Arts:
Phoenix Gallery: New York, USA
‘Artists Talk on Art: Book Arts’
Panel Speaker
October 2001
Book Arts Critique & Judging
‘Turn the Page Artists’ Book Fair 2012’
Norwich, UK
Member of the Selection Committee
‘Displaced: International Book Art Competition & Exhibition 2014’
The Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust & Genocide: London, UK
Judging as a Member of the Selection Committee
Solo Exhibitions
‘Guy Begbie: Bookworks: Unique Artists’ Books’
University Library, University of Portsmouth, UK
25th May – 29th June 2018
‘Guy Begbie – BOOKWORKS’
Artists’ Books Exhibitions in the Bower Ashton Library
cases, UWE, Bristol, UK
2nd July – 31st August 2018
‘Back Room Sounding’ Book-works and A Counterpart Short Film
Middlesex University London UK
15th April – 27th May 2011
‘Guy Begbie Video Shorts’
Middlesex University London UK
5th October – 9th November 2009
‘Guy Begbie Bookworks’
Middlesex University London UK
11th April – 9th May 2007
‘Guy Begbie Architectural Bookworks’
Special Collections, Bower Ashton Campus, UWE, Bristol
July 2003
Group Exhibitions
‘Takesada Matsutani. drop in time, Book Lab, Artists’ Books’ at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, UK, 29 September 2018 – 1 January 2019
‘Interruptions’ – an exhibition of prints and artists’ books by MAMDP and friends, curated by Sarah Bodman and Elena Zeppou, at the invitation of the Greek Printmakers Association (E.E.X.) for Athens Print Fest “18” 4th edition – nóstos / nostalgia, at the Felios Foundation, Athens, Greece, 3rd – 27th October 2018
‘Manly Library Artists’ Book Award 2017’
Creative Space, North Curl Curl, NSW, Australia 31st March – 2nd April 2017
‘CODE X: Contemporary Fine Bindings’
Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra, Australia 7th February – 27th March 2017
‘Cover to Cover’
ANU Foyer Gallery School of Art, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia 16th – 28th May 2016
‘Síður í Siglufjörður / Pages in Siglufjörður: Contemporary artists’ books on the coastal environment’
Herhúsið, Iceland 14th – 28th March 2015
‘Page Print Post: 50 Years of Artists Books’
Post Office Gallery, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria
July – August
2014
‘Книга Художника / Artist’s Book: Russia / United Kingdom’
The Historical, Architectural, Art and Landscape Museum-Reserve, Tsaritsyno, Moscow, Russia March – May 2014
‘Bookart Inspired by the Vatican’
Swedish Institute, Rome, Italy
4th November – 8th November 2013
‘Language To Cover A Wall: Visual Poetry Through Its Changing Media’
UB Art Gallery, The University At Buffalo, The State University of
New York, USA 17th November – 18th February 2012
9th International Book Art Festival CORRESPONDENCE
The Jozef Pilsudski Regional and Municipal Public Library Gdanska, Lodz, Poland
September 21st – 15th October 2012
‘Poetry Beyond Text: Vision Text and Cognition’
(AHRC/University of Dundee) Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
12th November – 18th December 2011
‘Sons of the Sea’
An international book project between Russia and the UK
Special Collections Room at University of the West of England, Bower Ashton Library,
Bristol, UK 16th June – 16th September 2011
‘The Paper Cooperative’
Spacex Gallery Exeter UK
6th August – 3rd September 2011
‘O Pão Nosso’ An exhibition of international artists’ books, curated by Mara Caruso
Universidade Feevale, Projeto Circular, Novo Hamburgo/RS, Brazil
30th August – 13th September 2011
‘Our Daily Bread’
Escuela de Artes de Sevilla Spain
5th July – 5th October 2010
‘The Secret Library of Solihull’
Solihull Gallery, UK
8th March 2010
‘New Wave’
Impact Printmaking Conference, UWE
15th – 19th September 2009
‘Brilliant’
Northern Print, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
2008
‘Sitting Room’
UK/USA /South Africa
2007-2008 touring exhibition
‘International Book Exchange’
University of Tennessee at Chanooga USA / School of Art Media and Design, UWE Bristol, UK
22nd February – 28th March 2004
‘The History Book That Never Was’
Massachusette College of Art Boston USA
2003
‘The Wexford Artist Book Exhibition’
Wexford Arts Centre
Ireland
2003
‘If Pressed’
Sherborne House Dorset UK
2002
‘Imprint’
Ferrens Art Gallery, Hull, UK and Howard Gardens Gallery UWIC Cardiff, Wales
2002
‘A Tale of Two Cities’
Centre For Book Arts, New York, USA 14th September – 28th October 2001
‘Cade 2001’
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
2001
Artist’s Book Event Participation
MABB 2018, Malmö Artist’s Book Biennial, Malmö, Sweden
20-21 April 2018
Artist Film/Video Short Screenings
‘Back Room Sounding” (Guy Begbie 2015)
Monitor Video Short
Foyer Gallery, Australian National University, School of Art, Canberra, Australia
16th – 28th May 2016
‘Bookscape’ (Guy Begbie 2015)
First public screening made at The Society of Bookbinders Conference 2015, Keele University, UK during a conference presentation given on Non-Linear Narrative Page Structures & Sculptural Book Forms.
22nd August 2015
‘Orange Rumba’ (Guy Begbie 2012)
First public screening given at ‘The Artists’ Book Market Event’ at BALTIC Cinema, Newcastle, UK in December 2014
The video short ‘Orange Rumba’ is featured as an example of contemporary practice in ‘Unshelfmarked: Reconceiving the artists’ book’: Hampton, Michael: Axminster: Uniformbooks, 2015
Awards
‘Manly Library Artists’ Book Award 2017’
Works held in Collections
Artists’ Book Collection
State Library of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia
Manly Library Artists’ Book Collection
Manly, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bibliotheca Librorum Apud Artificem
Library for the artist’s book
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Artists’ Book Collection
Bower Ashton Art & Design Library
University of the West of England
Bristol, UK
Artists’ Book Collection
Winchester School of Art Library
University of Southampton
Winchester, UK
Neil Crawford Artists’ Book Collection
Typo G, London, UK
‘Sydney Dérive’ Bookwork Series Diptych/Page Spread (GB 2017)
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