This print was made as part of our 2019 celebration of the 100th Liffey Swim. We collaborated with some of our favourite illustrators to mark the iconic event.
4 layer hand-pulled screen print
500 x 500mm / on 285gsm Context Birch paper, edition of 100, signed and numbered by artist.
About the Piece
”This piece was inspired by the the spirit of an article by an anonymous writer titled ‘Story of the Liffey Swim - (By One of the Competitors)’ printed in the Evening Telegraph in 24 July 1920, just days after the inaugural Liffey Swim.
"Research is also at the heart of a lot of my work. I really enjoy discovering historical accounts, especially for the authenticity of detail in the observations, the antiquated turn of phrase and the feel of a bygone era. This article dealt with everything from the fear of not finishing the race, to the multitude who came to view it ‘on foot and on all kinds of vehicles’, right down to the analysis of the Liffey water, to see if it was fit enough for swimming in!
"I like to weave both type and image together in my work. I collect and sample old letterpress fonts, particularly those that have managed to escape digitisation. I was also keen on making sure that details like the tram advertisements were of the time and that the swim suits of the era were accurate.
"The writer of this article himself wasn’t too far off the mark when he predicted that ‘... the Liffey swims of the future will be looked forward to with intense interest by the people of Dublin.’ “
About the Artist
Alan is an Irish visual artist and author who works mostly in illustration, comics, graphic printmaking, paper craft, and motion graphics. He is passionate about all aspects of the graphic arts and is hugely interested in vernacular design and uncovering stories through cultural historical archives. This is reflected in his heavily researched and considered comics, heritage-based commissions and through re-appropriation of vernacular typography and graphic aesthetics in his work.
Shipping and Returns
This poster is sold unframed securely packaged in a cardboard tube. For full information on shipping and returns, click here. Please note colours may vary between computer screens.
