WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL POSTER 2019/20

THE MAKING OF

The theme for the next three folk festivals is

IMAGINING A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE

This theme inspired Artist in Residence, Gavin Ryan, to make quite a radical departure from the style and
technique he has been employing in his poster design for the last ten years.

This year, Gav called upon the greater Woodfordian community to help bring his design to life.

In the weeks preceding The Planting festival, Gav and his team of talented vollies prepared a whopping
4.8 x 3.4m canvas with the overarching design and necessary underpainting.

The canvas was set up in open space at The Planting and revealed in small segments at a time. Each
participant was given a brush, a thumb-pot of acrylic paint and an invitation to express their creativity.

“MOST OPTED TO SIMPLY DOODLE ABOUT WITH PATTERNS AND LINEWORK THAT BUILT ON THE ARTWORK ALREADY THERE. IN THIS WAY, MANY LAYERS OF COLOUR AND DETAIL ADDED UP QUICKLY INTO A RICH SURFACE OF SHIFTING SHAPES AND TONES, PATTERNS AND OUTLINES, TEXTURES AND VIBRATING ENERGY.”

GAVIN RYAN

The doodling, dotting and spotting continued some weeks later at Woodfordia’s Parliament Day.

Some 300 Woodfordians of all shapes and sizes made their mark on this year’s poster.

At the Winter Warmer, Gav walked us through the intricacies of his design process.
And then there was the big unveiling.

“THE PALPABLE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT FELT BY ALL THOSE TO WHO STOOD BACK TO SURVEY THE FINISHED PIECE AT THE END OF PROCEEDINGS WAS A WONDERFUL VALIDATION OF THE CHANGE OF PROCESS.”

GAVIN RYAN

Woodford Folk Festival begins on 27th December at beautiful Woodfordia
and tickets are currently on sale.

To keep up to date with the festival and our projects sign up to Woodfordia mail here.