Amelia’s Magazine celebrates ten years with new publication and artists' print series That Which We Do Not Understand, an existential journey in illustration and creative writing.
For those unfortunate enough to miss it when it was published between 2004 and 2009, Amelia’s Magazine was a testament to the power of the printed object. A precursor by several years to the trend for independent magazines that become permanent fixtures on the bookshelf, the biannual issues were always bathed in interesting printing processes, from bright spot colours to glitter and even glow-in-the-dark finishes. Inside, the content was inspiring and varied, covering emerging artists, designers and illustrators, but also musicians and environmentalists. After ten issues, editor Amelia Gregory decided to concentrate on the magazine’s growing digital output, as well as publishing two books, Amelia’s Anthology of Illustration and Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration - both with the same level of care and attention to detail.
Keen to celebrate her tenth year in print, Gregory has launched a campaign to put together a third book, a gold-foiled, limited-edition tome with the title That Which We Do Not Understand. The brief was inspired by Gregory’s personal experience of two late miscarriages, and will explore the many ways in which humans seek to understand things throughout their lives. It’s a combination of creative writing and illustration sourced via an open (and still ongoing) brief via her website - combining the global reach of digital with the permanence of print.
“Over the years I have really felt the tension between print and web,” says Gregory. “I find the whole thing fascinating. For instance, here I am, trying to make a printed publication, but taking full advantage of the amazing world web. The immediacy and reach of the internet is very alluring but I absolutely love producing a tangible object in print; something which allows me to explore fancy papers and extravagant print techniques, which will be treasured and returned to over the years.”
Always a keen champion of sustainability, Gregory has decided to print the book largely on demand, assessing numbers via a Kickstarter campaign which launched on Monday. Alongside the book, Gregory has also commissioned a series of A2 limited-edition art prints created by innovative young designers and illustrators, adorned with gold leaf. Reserve your copy here.