Penfold Press

Run by Dan Bugg, Penfold Press is a small scale print publisher working with a selection of carefully curated artists whose work they print, exhibit, and sell across the country. Working alongside Dan the artist is encouraged to develop a sense of playfulness and explore the creative possibilities of printmaking. This has resulted in a body of work that shares a sense of joint endeavour and a celebration of the collaborative process.

Dan was first introduced to printmaking at sixth form. His tutor had trained at the RCA where he was a contemporary of David Hockney, and instilled in Dan a love of screen printing. He then went on to study printmaking first at Loughborough, and then the Royal College of Art. It was at the RCA that Dan first collaborated with other artists to make prints, and it was here that the first ideas for Penfold Press came about.

After graduating from the RCA Dan moved back to Yorkshire with the idea of setting up a small studio. “I wanted to make printmaking accessible to artists who had no real background in the subject but who nevertheless had a genuine interest in all things print,” states the printmaker. During this period, he began collaborating on a series of linocuts, printed patterns, and screen prints with a small group of artists. “The energy and sense of fun we got from working in the studio helped the Penfold Press grow, and I think it was reflected in the work we made.” After the success of this, Dan invited others to make prints, and developed a feel for publishing as well as printing the work. He has now been running the studio for 16 years.

Everything is printed by hand; “I guess I’m a bit of a one-man-band commissioning work, printing it and then exhibiting it,” describes Dan. The studio predominantly produces screen prints, but in the past has also experimented with etching and relief printing. Some of the first prints he published, by printmaker Mark Herald, were linocuts that Dan printed using a beautiful old Columbian Press.

“I’ve always tried to make print accessible and I think this follows through in the subject matter,” says Dan. He continues; “For me it’s the collaboration that’s important, that’s where the fun is”. Thus, new work normally starts with a conversation between Dan and the artist about what they might enjoy making. “Ultimately, where a print will be shown or sold isn’t as important as just enjoying the experience itself.” Dan regards all the artists he works with as good friends who have a mutual enthusiasm for collaboration and enjoyment for what they do. This is reflected in the finished print, and in turn finds an audience through either the Penfold Press website or one of the galleries he works with.

www.penfoldpress.co.uk
@penfoldpress

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