Here are the proofs of Much Obliged, a new book by the Glasgow-based artist, Stephen Sutcliffe, that I have been designing for Book Works in London. Much Obliged is inspired by Joe Brainard’s seminal memoir, I Remember, and is a similarly constructed assemblage of loosely connected reminiscences drawing on Stephen’s experiences of childhood, family, art school, friends and work. Like me, Stephen is from Yorkshire so it has been a real treat to typeset words and phrases that are familiar from my own childhood. I’ve very much enjoyed working on this project and Stephen’s text has been a joy to read, often making me laugh out loud. This story is typical of the dry humour running through the book:
In Greenacres Stephen’s mam and dad once had John Spooner and his wife over for dinner. During the meal Stephen’s mam said, ‘You look brown John. Have you had your shirt off at work?’ John was a miner.
Printed on uncoated paper, the book features a glossy central section of images including Stephen’s own collages – often made as birthday cards for his friends – alongside family snapshots. My favourite is Stephen at a fancy dress party, dressed as Camila Batmanghelidjh.
Much Obliged Stephen Sutcliffe
Edited by Gavin Everall
Proofreading by Jenny Fisher
Designed by James Brook
Published by Book Works, London, 2019
ISBN 978 1 906012 81 6
Soft cover | 195 x 130 mm | 144 pages
Printed by Albe de Coker in Antwerp, Belgium,
on Symbol Tatami, Munken Pure and LumiArt papers
Typeset in Adobe Caslon Pro and Nimbus Sans
Below is a rough mock-up of the book. I have always wanted to do a book with a gloss cover – Stephen wanted his book to have the feel of a mass market paperback autobiography so I am delighted that the finished book will have a high gloss laminate finish. I'm very excited to see it. All being well, the book should be available to buy from the Book Works website in a few weeks: www.bookworks.org.uk
