News / 16 Apr 2025
Fine Art students exhibit handmade books and zines at PAGES Artists’ Book Fair
BA (Hons) Fine Art
BA (Hons) Fine Art students exhibited handmade books and zines at this year's PAGES Artists’ Book Fair.
PAGES Artists’ Book Fair provides a unique opportunity for audiences to experience work by established and emerging artists and designers, students and researchers.
This years fair took place in Leeds Central Library, adjoining Leeds Art Gallery. Leeds Arts University students managed a stall in the library's majestic Central Court.
Participating BA (Hons) Fine Art students exhibited and sold zines and handmade books they had produced in the University's facilities, that include bookmaking and paper-based printmaking using a range of processes, professional-standard, large-format digital printing, print finishing, and a vinyl cutter.
Several students exhibited work at the fair, including; Ed Cutler, Ellie Brown, Dawn Hindle, Ava Sorboen, and Dulcie Rhodes.
"It was valuable to gain insight into customer buying patterns and hear about what they are looking for in a product – such as the details and craftsmanship. It inspired me and made me think about how I might cater for a customer base. It helped me to consider and realise how my practice could form income streams that are still authentic to my message and mission as an artist. There are different printworks that you can make that were present at our stall such as hand-bound books, digital print zines and concertinas made bespoke for the fair – and there are a broad range of the types of printworks you can make no matter what course you do."
Edward Cutler, BA (Hons) Fine Art student
The book fair also hosted a spoken word event, organised by The Writers' Room led by The WILD PANSY PRESS, where student Edward Cutler performed his own work. He tells us that branching out to do spoken word for his writing has been positive for him personally and for his creative practice.
"From my response to the call out to the event on the day, [Wild Pansy Press] were welcoming and accommodating of the writers who came to present their work. Lu Rose was an especially warm and kind host, and built a structure for the event by giving an introduction and conclusion to the event at the end. There was a thoughtful paused break in between. It felt like a relevant, seamless addition to the book fair. "
Edward Cutler, BA (Hons) Fine Art student