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Home manoeuvres

Artist's Book
1987 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bound in a soft cover, the bright yellow, thickly textured potato-print on the front cover links it to another of McLean's bookworks entitled 'A potato against a black background'.

The initial page of text is a poem that uses word-play and idioms referring to furniture and domestic interiors, the room a metaphor for life or a situation entered, successfully negotiated and exited.

The subsequent pages interpolate single phrases on semi-translucent paper, with lino-cuts, hand-painted by the artist in daubed, pure colour. Placement of the text associates the edges of the page with the walls of a room and each phrase corresponds loosely to the image it precedes, partially visible before the page is turned. Elements of a home environment are listed, conveying a sense of absence.

'Home Manoeuvres' was published to coincide with McLean's exhibition entitled 'The Floor, The Fence, The Fireplace' at Anthony d'Offay Gallery in London, in March 1987. The text is by McLean himself and writer and critic Mel Gooding and was published by the Knife Edge Press which they formed together in 1985.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHome manoeuvres (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Printed book, linocuts, letterpress, painted cover
Brief description
Artist's book, 'Home Manoeuvres', by Bruce McLean, Knife Edge Press, London, 1987
Physical description
The images are original lino cuts by Bruce McLean, hand coloured by the artist. The texts are by Mel Gooding and Bruce McLean. The book was designed by Knife Edge Press and Ian Tyson, and printed letterpress at Hega House London.

The edition is limited to 60 copies, 50 of which are numbered 1-50, and are for sale, plus 10 which are numbered I-X and are hors de commerce.

13 leaves, 12 leaves of plates
Dimensions
  • Height: 18cm
Summary
Bound in a soft cover, the bright yellow, thickly textured potato-print on the front cover links it to another of McLean's bookworks entitled 'A potato against a black background'.

The initial page of text is a poem that uses word-play and idioms referring to furniture and domestic interiors, the room a metaphor for life or a situation entered, successfully negotiated and exited.

The subsequent pages interpolate single phrases on semi-translucent paper, with lino-cuts, hand-painted by the artist in daubed, pure colour. Placement of the text associates the edges of the page with the walls of a room and each phrase corresponds loosely to the image it precedes, partially visible before the page is turned. Elements of a home environment are listed, conveying a sense of absence.

'Home Manoeuvres' was published to coincide with McLean's exhibition entitled 'The Floor, The Fence, The Fireplace' at Anthony d'Offay Gallery in London, in March 1987. The text is by McLean himself and writer and critic Mel Gooding and was published by the Knife Edge Press which they formed together in 1985.
Other number
X890220 - NAL Pressmark
Collection
Library number
38041987010386

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Record createdApril 2, 2014
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