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John Bently

Profession
BA Illustration Associate Lecturer
College
Camberwell College of Arts
Person Type
Staff
John  Bently

Biography

Liver & Lights is the collective name for John Bently’s lifelong exploration of The Book as a creative medium.

In 58 editions so far these publications have incorporated community projects, political campaigns, vinyl records, fanzines, chapbooks, giant newspapers, eccentric collections, sticker albums and more. Constructed from  both contemporary and  cast-off reprographic technology, they shamelessly incorporate, infiltrate, celebrate and castigate. Champions of the unheard voice, they are the DIY ethic personified.

Liver & Lights also encompasses a wide range of one-off works of art and related projects, most notably the band bonesandtheaft who interpret and illuminate the books through music and live performance, augmented by hand made recordings, props, stage sets and costumes.

Liver & Lights publications are collected by museums, libraries and private collectors In the UK and worldwide, with complete sets being held by The V&A, the Tate Gallery, The British Library and Winchester School of Art, among others.

Liver & Lights No 57. One Shoe Michael, a London Song Cycle was recently launched with a lecture and live performance in the library at Tate Britain.

John Bently is also the co-founder of the long running academic journal The Artist Book Year Book.

Links

BA Illustration