Yes, the artists' book fair is over, and now I have a brief space to think up and print my own 20:20 edition before we start sorting the whole exchange. Why do I do this? Autumn is my favourite season and I barely see it.
I feel like I lose whole months at this time of year. However, I don't miss out on everything. I saw a good part of the MMU MA show, back before the fair (yup, this would be me once again about to discuss an exhibition that's over). I must admit, somewhat shamefaced, that I failed to realise that I was only seeing that section of it that was in the Holden Gallery - shamefaced because I have a sneaky suspicion that the exact same thing has happened before - but I was very pleased with what I did see. I am in the happy state of not knowing - and not having to know - what constitutes 'good' MA work - all I know is (that old chestnut) what I like.
My absolute favourite was James Goodchild's 'Hiraeth' - a collection of evocative, rich, black and white photos, based around or in some way connected to the early 20th century poem 'The Harp of Hiraeth' by Welsh poet Ernest Howard Harris. Quiet, powerful images, presented in an understated way that also suggests lines of poetry on the wall. I'm full of intentions to track the poem down and read it, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.