Image: 2023 Printer in Residence Mickie Quick. Photography by Ellie Stephenson
The Library is very excited to announce Mickie Quick as our 2023 Printer in Residence.
Kicking off at the start of Semester 2, Mickie’s residency will see him examine the history of progressive political text and images on campus by delving into the rich archives of Honi Soit, to create a series of prints that reflect and build on the history of activism on campus.
As joint Publications Manager at the SRC, Mickie will also work with the current editorial team to publish his work in Honi Soit during Semester 2. One more reason to get your weekly copy!
Mickie’s creative practice varies according to medium, from graphic poster design to ‘culture jamming’ billboard interventions, however, the common thread, “is the power of words and images in context to examine political realities”.
“I am very excited to be working with an historic print methodology on campus — letterpress printing with the Albion — and using it to create new prints that will come from a process of looking deeply into another longstanding print tradition at USyd — the publication of Honi Soit, and its role in political activism on campus,” said Mickie.
Liz Litting from the University Library says Mickie’s application was the unanimous choice among the selection committee.
“As well as holding physical and digital archives of Honi Soit, Fisher Library has historically been a meeting place for activism on campus. And Mickie’s relationship with today’s Honi provides probably the most direct form of student engagement we’ve had with the Printer in Residence program to date. Having all those things come together made the concept a natural fit, and we’re excited to see where Mickie takes it.”
Mickie will start his eight-week residency using the Piscator Press at the start of Semester 2. If you’d like to see him at work on the Albion letterpress, you can swing by the workshop on Level 1 of Fisher Library or keep an eye out for one of his Open Studio sessions (dates to be advertised).
About the Printer in Residence Program
Fisher Library is the home to a printing workshop housing an Albion letterpress printer, purchased by the library in the early 1960s, and affectionately known as the Piscator Press.
The Printer in Residence program was introduced in 2018 with the goal of increasing awareness of the Piscator Press and to encourage an ongoing enthusiasm for letterpress and book arts within the University. We aim to foster a creative dialogue between print and digital processes, while encouraging experimentation and engagement with the Library community.
We thank the Friends of the Library, Art Scene, and the Penrith Museum of Printing for their continued support of the Printer in Residence program.
The printing workshop is located on Level 1 of Fisher Library on the Camperdown Campus, and we welcome enquiries from anyone interested in using the space outside of the residency.