Renowned British graphic artist Anthony Burrill has partnered with Dublin's National Print Museum to create a powerful limited-edition letterpress print featuring the word 'HOPE,' unveiled during Irish Design Week. The collaboration represents a rare partnership between one of Britain's most recognizable graphic designers and Ireland's premier institution dedicated to preserving print heritage, bridging historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistic vision.
The project has been nearly a decade in development, originating from the museum's 2015 hosting of the Victoria and Albert Museum's touring exhibition 'A World to Win,' which featured Burrill's acclaimed work 'Oil and Water Do Not Mix.' Carla Marrinan Funder, the National Print Museum's CEO, explained that working with Anthony had been on their wish list for quite some time. When the invitation was finally extended for Irish Design Week, Burrill's response was characteristically enthusiastic: 'How soon can I get there?!'
Within weeks of receiving the invitation, Burrill traveled to Dublin to explore the museum's working collection and collaborate with graphic artist Mary Plunkett and experienced printers Freddie Snowe and John King. The team worked together using the museum's historic Wharfedale Stop Cylinder Press, the same type of printing press that was once used to produce the historic 1916 Proclamation, adding significant historical weight to the modern artistic endeavor.
The inspiration for the 'HOPE' print emerged directly from the museum's extensive collection of wooden letter type. During her research for the project, Mary Plunkett discovered a large 80-line type hidden in the dusty recesses of the museum's archives. Burrill recalls that as soon as he saw the letters, he knew they had to be used to create a print. The design process proved to be remarkably serendipitous, with Burrill instinctively selecting the letters H, O, P, and E as the team began arranging the type.
'When we began taking out the letters and arranging them, I instinctively picked up the H, O, P, and E. They fit together so naturally that the design seemed to form itself,' Burrill explained. 'In that moment, the idea came together beautifully.' The resulting poster represents both a visually and conceptually powerful composition that captures the tactile rhythm of traditional letterpress printing while delivering the emotional clarity that has become Burrill's signature.
Burrill emphasized the timely relevance of the piece's message, stating, 'We need to be reminded of the positive power of hope as the world goes through difficult times, and this print aims to capture that enduring spirit.' Mary Plunkett echoed the excitement of the creative process, noting that while seeing a new print come off the press is always thrilling, working with the 80-line type on the historic Wharfedale press was something truly special.
The finished 'HOPE' print is produced on recycled Shiro Echo paper as a limited edition of 100 copies, with each piece signed, numbered, and hand-embellished by Burrill himself. An open edition is expected to be released later this year to meet anticipated demand. The collaboration aligns perfectly with the National Print Museum's mission of keeping print culture alive through creative partnerships and innovative projects.
Carla Marrinan Funder emphasized that the project demonstrates the enduring power of the printed word and reflects the museum's vision of a future where the beauty and impact of printing continue to transform and enrich society. The partnership celebrates print as a living language, offering a welcome respite from the constant digital noise that characterizes contemporary communication.
To commemorate the launch, Burrill returned to Dublin during Irish Design Week for a sold-out talk and live printing demonstration, giving audiences the opportunity to witness both the craftsmanship and creative conversation behind the work. The limited-edition print is available for pre-launch purchase through the National Print Museum's website at €170, with all proceeds supporting the museum's ongoing efforts to preserve Ireland's rich printing heritage for future generations.
