Ochre Print Studio is delighted to share an ongoing research project that retraces the history of Farnham. We have created an unique edition of prints from original 20th-century relief blocks of illustrations depicting Farnham. These have been hand-printed on a Victorian Columbian press at our studio, and will be exhibited at the Printworks Festival, at the Maltings on the 19th of April. The edition will be for sale in support of both Ochre and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. We also invite visitors to share their stories and memories connected to the places represented, thereby helping build a richer connection between Farnham’s past and present.
Ochre Print Studio was gifted a set of relief print blocks a few years ago and the studio has decided to reprint these fascinating artefacts. In the mid-20th century, the Pullinger family commissioned local artist Marshall Barnes to produce a set of drawings depicting Farnham and the surrounding area. Through research, support from the Farnham Herald and the descendants of the Pullinger family, we have begun to learn parts of the story, and much of that past lies in the books you can find at the Oxfam Music & Books shop in Farnham.
On the 30th of March, when printing the edition, we were joined by Anne Pullinger, descendant of the Pullinger family and learnt of her family’s connection to Farnham, and the fascinating story behind the blocks. They may have been originally printed at a store depicted in some of the images, which appears not to have changed too much to this day.
To create our edition of the relief print blocks, we used one of the few working Victorian relief print presses operating in England today. These historic techniques offered us an unique opportunity to reimagine the period when the illustrations were commissioned, stepping back to the time they were made.
To continue this project connecting print, history and community we invite the people of Farnham to share their own memories of the places depicted. We aim to turn this story of people, printing and events into a living history of our streets.
Alongside the historic prints, visitors are also invited to take part in a live CMYK print activity featuring work by contemporary illustrators. Experience the layering of colour and take home your own print.
Ochre Print Studio would like to acknowledge the support of the Pullinger family, the Farnham Herald, Oxfam Music and Books, the Farnham Maltings, KD Fine Art at Watts Gallery Village, the Ochre Print Studio team, Jonathan Jarvis and our two London based Artists-in-Residence, Viola Wang and Matt O’Rourke who initiated the project.
