Wits End
Wits End Books @witsendbooks
Meet Pernod…
Potted Bio: After a career in design education I discovered book binding and from there to the world of artists books. My inspiration comes from many sources – literary, scientific, historic and the abstract. My work can sometimes be described as quirky and including a touch of whimsy. I enjoy creating works which include movement or an element of surprise and exploring different structures and book forms from the traditional to those which sometimes challenge the viewer’s perception of what a book is or should be. I am keen to match the subject or theme of a book to its form. I have regularly taken part in artists book fairs from Edinburgh to Bristol. As a member of The Bookband I have taken part in our exhibitions and have work in a number of private collections as well as Winchester School of Art’s collection and the British Library.
Fun fact: I taught one of the England Rugby team – but not rugby.
Where I work: In my daughter’s bedroom since she left home. It’s crammed with stuff and has a spaces for clean and messy things
What sort of things are in your studio waste bin – and is it overflowing? Always overflowing with paper off cuts.
Which of your books are you proudest of? CHOCOLAT
Which book by another artist do you wish you had made or thought of? The Shipping Forecast by Isobel Lewis of the Kelpie Press
What was your biggest book-making disaster? ‘ROAD’ It was based on the Magic Roundabout in Swindon and was supposed to allow all the roundabouts rotating to replicate the movement of the traffic but getting the cams to link up defeated me
What are you currently working on? A collaboration with another artists book maker based on gunpowder
Do you like to work with music playing? What kind of music works best for you? No.
What is YOUR definition of an artist’s book? A book as a piece of art which might sometimes challenge one’s notion of what a book is.
What is your favourite book-making tool? What is your craft knife of choice? My cheap Hobbycraft bone folder. Craft knife of choice: Olfa
If you received an Arts Council grant for £30,000, what would you spend it on? And if it was £500? £300,00 – a bespoke garden studio. £500 – a print making or other course
If no-one ever saw them, would you still make books? Yes
What help does your pet provide in the studio (are they allowed in?) He’s no help at all but is allowed in