Private View: 12^th November 2013, 6.00 – 8.30pm
With live music from Nashville’s Ned Luberecki (banjo) and Stephen Mougin (guitar)

Exhibition: 13^th November 2013 – 14^th December 2013

CHELSEA space is delighted to present the very first UK exhibition dedicated to the American letterpress art of Hatch Show Print based in Nashville, Tennessee.

The exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to view archive material and stunning posters from this world-renowned producer of letterpress design and will explore importance of the art of the poster in the history of communication. Originally established in 1879, in a world before TV advertising and the internet, Hatch Show Print used strong design to convey information to the widest possible audience – a visual ‘shout’ across the American landscape.

Hatch’s design success is most closely associated with posters for Country Music and Americana, but also Blues, Jazz, and Rock and Roll including work for musicians such as Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Aretha Franklin, and Neil Young to name but a few. Originally making posters for religious meetings and travelling entertainments Hatch also produced eye-catching designs for local businesses, product advertisements and political rallies. Using archive artefacts, ephemera, photographs, film, and brilliant poster designs from the 1920s to the present day, this exhibition explores Hatch’s history and its unique position as information network, universally respected art and design agency, and cultural icon. 

Hatch Show Print, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest letterpress print shops in the U.S. Now owned and operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and overseen by Hatch Show Print Curator and Manager Jim Sherraden, the shop not only maintains the original, hand-carved wood blocks and massive letter presses for producing restrikes of classic designs, but also creates new art that continues the venerable firm’s tradition.  The exhibition will feature some of Sherraden’s own recent artworks alongside Hatch originals.

The influential Hatch Show Print is revered by artists and academics as well as fans.  This quintessentially American exhibition will be accompanied by a range of talks, lectures, and music events to celebrate Hatch Show Print and the Nashville Calling exhibition.

Exhibition curated by Donald Smith with Jason Brown.

Letterpress Manifesto
Wednesday 4th December 2013, 6pm – 7.30pm
CHELSEA space 
RSVP to info@chelseaspace.org

An illustrated talk from Nigel Bents (Lecturer in Graphic Design, Chelsea College of Arts) examining the tactile nature of the letterpress process and how this affects our understanding of typography.

For more information please click here and to download programme of events please click here. 

 Images credit: Left: Johnny Cash Triple Poster, CHELSEA space