Simon Redington
Simon Redington's commitment as an artist began in the mid 70's when he studied Fine Art at Goldsmith's College in London. Originally a painter of large expressionist oils, after ten years his focus of interest turned to the production of woodcuts and etchings influenced primarily by the work of the German expressionists, then later by the Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock masters. His first exploration into the graphic medium of Letterpress and text began with 'Hangman' (1989) a folio of 10 woodblock prints with Haiku style verse based on his experiences working in the disturbed wards of psychiatric hospitals. In 1993 after spending several years employed as a social worker in central London working with homeless people sleeping rough, he founded the euphemistically titled 'Kamikaze Press'. In his studio in Commercial Street he continued to produce issue based work. First 'Hostel' (1994) a folio with type and etched portraits of homeless people he knew, then 'BUST' (1994) a concertina book with headline type relating to the slang vernacular of the street. The Kamikaze Press now has over eight publications under its imprint. In 1997 Simon Redington started travelling to the Far East where he has eventually taken up residence. The art and culture of this region has had a profound effect on his work which can be evidenced in 'The Ten Courts of the Kings of Hell' his latest publication and the central installation of this exhibition.