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Exhibition - Being Edward
Johnston
The great bulls-eye London Transport logo and the lettering
on the London Underground are clearly imprinted in our minds
as some of the most memorable graphics of our times. It is
surprising to find out that the original designs were made
in 1916 in the Ditchling studio of the master of calligraphy
Edward Johnston. Johnston has two other great claims to fame:
he was the tutor of sculptor Eric Gill and he published a
seminal text on the art of lettering and calligraphy, Writing
and Illuminating and Lettering in 1906. To modern-day graphic
artists and typographers he reigns as master. His book brought
about a huge revival in the art of calligraphy, handwriting
and lettering which has continued unabated until today. The
book was last re-printed in 2005 into Japanese and the designers
of Apple computers count among those inspired by his works.
To mark the centenary of the publication of this book, the
Ditchling Museum is holding an exhibition on Johnston. Long
in the planning, the show brings to life the art of writing
and printing. Pages from the original manuscripts show us
how we should teach our children to hold and angle pens in
order to write well. Personal objects, letters and photographs
reveal his life-long friendship with Eric Gill, his obsession
with his craft and his significant artistic contribution to
Sussex. This light, airy exhibition is detailed, fascinating
in a quiet way, and will make you look afresh at all the fonts,
computer typefaces and lettering that you see around you every
day. JW
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