Caren Florence
Ampersand Duck
Canberra, Australia
[Written: October 2005]
How I Got Involved in Letterpress Printing: In the
early '90s I was studying a Masters in English under Paul Eggert at UNSW at ADFA, and one of the coursework units was called
'Scholarly Bibliography and Editing'. To show us how differences in manuscript texts were not just editorial but quite often typographical,
Paul organised a two-day letterpress workshop with the local art school (the Australian National University School of Art), to let
us experience first-hand the problems faced by compositors and printers. The moment I saw the type I was in love, and all my childhood
years of teaching myself to write and read backwards suddenly gained meaning! That workshop changed my life. I did finish the Masters,
but then spent the next few years teaching myself to draw so that I could attend art school to get at that type, which meant a complete
reversal of my job prospects. I got to art school just before the typography teacher retired, and have self-taught myself much of
what I need to know, so my methods are unfortunately less than traditional. However, I try to read as much as I can on the topic (which
includes silently joining various listservers) and I have managed by hook and by crook to stay with the art school, and with their
equipment. There are not many other people in the area who know how to use it.
Presses & Equipment: The ANU School
of Art has a Graphix proofing press, a number of fonts, a polymer-plate maker and access to computers for digital/polymer layout,
plus sundry nipping presses and guillotines. I personally have a Vandercook SP20 and a number of cabinets of type and furniture, but
all are under wraps in my garage for more spacious developments. I have a tabletop Adana press and a small nipping press, which operate
in a corner of my loungeroom.
Work History: I work within the Edition + Artist Book Studio, which does collaborative projects
with visiting artists and postgraduates, many of whom have never worked with the book/print media before. Most of the printing I do
is small things like title pages for folios, although lately I have been printing some major pieces using polymer plates. I don't
know how much longer the art school will keep their equipment, or more importantly, will be able to afford to pay someone to look
after it, but if they give it up, I'll just have to build that home workshop I've always wanted.
I also have a home-based desktop publishing
and design microbusiness called Letter Press, which allows me to earn money while being flexible enough to work the sparse art school
hours I am allotted. I like to work with academic texts; I am the typesetter for the Academy Editions of Australian Literature (http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/ASEC/aeal.html)
and I have also set the OUP scholarly edition of The Works of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, editor Harold Love (1999). At the moment
my clients include the Australian Journal of French Studies and the ANU Humanities Research Centre,
My personal letterpress printing
hasn't got very far, because I'm too busy working two jobs and raising a kid and cats, but I hope to begin work on a shelf-series
of recent and new Australian poetry integrated with work by Australian artists. Currently I am planning a volume of Rosemary Dobson's
poetry, selected by the poet herself. Until I have more concentrated time, I make fun little unique or small-edition books and mail
art.
Education: My formal qualifications are a BA in Arts, MA in English, and BAHons in Visual Arts. My informal education is
paying attention to the amazing people I encounter -- I am heavily influenced by Alec Bolton, who had his own fine press here in Canberra
called Brindabella Press. He and I worked together for a brief while before he died. Most of my favorite people are over 60 -- there's
a lot to be learned from your elders!
Other Interests/Hobbies: Reading, artist's books, blogging, printmaking, bookbinding, cooking,
cats.
Group Memberships: ACT Bookbinder's Guild. I'd like to join a millionaire's club, but there's not much chance of that working
with letterpress.
Birth Year: 1967
