Brian Clarke is the greatest living artist working in stained glass; The Hurtwood team are huge fans and were thrilled when HENI Publishing asked us to work with him on a book created as a companion piece to high profile exhibition. Much of the artist’s recent work takes the form of screens, each is designed, then hand blown before being rolled flat and framed – a demanding and time consuming process.
Time was our first challenge – many of the artworks were still being made as book production started. As each was finished it had to be transported back to the studio and expertly photographed – although our book was designed, we were still fitting in new works and editing text as we went to press. Traditionally books on Stained glass are printed on coated paper. We wanted to use uncoated to help achieve a tactile feel – akin to the experience of walking among the artworks. Achieving this without compromising colour was our second challenge.