Exeter City of Literature: Compact Commission

Riddle 57: a print/book-making workshop

I led a workshop with Year 3 & 4 pupils to explore the materiality of books. The workshop focused not only on printing and using a press, but the physical creation of a book and investigating how literature and text can be enriched by the physical qualities of a book.  

Each pupil made their own miniature ‘flag book’ inspired by The Exeter Book, the 1,000-year-old anthology of Anglo Saxon poetry. They explored possible solutions to ‘Riddle 57’. The children ‘played’ the interactive riddle created by Double Elephant Print Workshop in partnership with poet Jacob Polley and medievalists Prof Chris Jones and Dr Megan Cavell.

They also experimented with Oak Gall ink and Cuttlefish ink on different papers, vellum and parchment, using quills and reed pens. We finished the day with decorating the books using (imitation) gold, silver and copper leaf.

To enjoy a digital version of the workshop outputs, follow this link.

www.exetercityofliterature.com/compact-commissions/emma-molony

2021

Muse: Makers in Museums

As part of my residency at Axminster Heritage Centre, I ran workshops with families, volunteers and local primary schools combining printmaking and animation to explore pattern and the 18th century Axminster carpet in the collection.

2017

ARMA Award residency

My ten week residency at The Art Room at Rose Hill Primary involved creating books of prints with each pupil and screenprinting a collaborative magnetic wallpaper design based on their favourite stories.

2010