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Printing Types: New Zealand Type Design since 1870

by Lindsay Yee

This exhibition celebrates the work of New Zealand typeface designers in an exquisite collection of large scale typographic posters.

Curator Jonty Valentine, of National Grid fame, has assembled type design from such designers as Joseph Churchward, Kris Sowersby, Robert Coupland Harding and others in this exhibition.

Valentine is interested in “starting some historical excavation and in presenting a range of stories that evidence the different ways that people talk about and contextualise type designed in New Zealand.” – PRINTING TYPES New Zealand Type Design Since 1870.

Lindsay and I enjoyed seeing a rich history of New Zealand type design presented. From Joseph Churchward’s typeface: Churchward Marianna, 1969 – which captured the visual spirit of the 60′s in its organic curvy forms through to Wedge by Bruce Rotherham, 1947, its calligraphic references that I felt very familiar with, remembered in childhood reference publications of native animals and such and Jonty Valentine’s digitised Air New Zealand by Tom Elliot, c 1968 – a joy to behold in a large scale poster that would make a welcome edition to any studio wall.

The exhibition is accompanied by a book of the same title that captures the typefaces from the collection and also features a series of essays on type design. A reference book that should sit on the shelf of any New Zealand design studio.

If you haven’t made it to Object Space on Ponsonby Road, Auckland yet, make it a priority this week. The exhibition closes this Saturday, September 12th and I bet you won’t be able to help yourself and buy a book or a poster or three…

Situated at 8 Ponsonby Road, Objectspace is open to the public 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday.

At Design Assembly on September 30th in Auckland – I  will have one copy of the limited edition book “PRINTING TYPES New Zealand Type Design Since 1870″ to give away to one lucky person. Thanks to Objectspace!

By Louise Kellerman and Lindsay Yee