The Here and Nows
Client – Royal Academy of Arts (RA)
Services – Publication design
Publication design for a zine and sticker sheet to accompany the exhibition Kerry James Marshall: The Histories at the Royal Academy of Arts, London.
The zine and accompanying sticker sheet were created as a resource for young people to guide them whilst visiting the exhibition and were distributed to 10,000 young visitors throughout the duration of the show.
The content is formed of a selection of thematic and personal texts, prompts and activities written and curated by the RA Young Producers.
The art direction and design of the publication reflects the artist’s work – bold, textured, multi-layered. The colours reflect not only Marshall’s general use of tones within his work, but particularly his exploration of the colour black; how it can be used centrally with depth, rather than only as an accompaniment or afterthought. Inspired too by the work of Aya Brown, an artist who questions the assumed use of a white canvas as a neutral base, the black pages spread across the full publication and are accented by other hues.
The yellow inserts were created to create a sense of informality within the publication and the encourage engagement. They feel like bookmarks or post-its slipped between the sheets to provide space for handwritten notes and thoughts guided by the printed prompts. The inserts also featured abstract textured designs that are formed from cropped elements§ of the paintings, encouraging further curiosity and investigation of the works.
The publication is accompanied by a sticker sheet featuring figures and objects within the paintings as well as significant motifs and phrases reflecting themes of Marshall’s practice. The bold, colourful stickers are intended for use within the publication as well as in moments of everyday life.
Credits: Produced and edited by Cornelius Prior / Printed by The Liquorice Press / Typeface: Karrik by Jean-Baptiste Morizot, Lucas Le Bihan. Distributed by velvetyne.fr