Who painted Paper Making in Britain?

Paper Making in Britain was painted by Tom Eckersley in 1985.

Where can I see Paper Making in Britain?

Paper Making in Britain is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Paper Making in Britain

Tom Eckersley , 1985

Paper Making in Britain is a poster by Tom Eckersley. It dates from 1985 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The poster presents a stark geometric composition: a dominant white disc encloses a smaller black circle, evoking a partially unwound paper reel. A gray circular element appears on the exposed strip of paper. The design rests on a dark gray field, with white typographic information positioned at the top.

Subject & Meaning

The central imagery references the mechanics of paper production, symbolized by the reel and its unwinding strip. By abstracting this process into simple shapes, the work conveys the material’s transformation from roll to sheet, aligning with the poster’s educational purpose.

Technique & Style

Employing flat color fields and clean, unembellished lines, the piece relies on high contrast between black, white, and gray. The minimalist aesthetic emphasizes clarity and legibility, typical of mid‑century informational graphics.

History & Provenance

Created for the College Printing Historical Society, the poster announces a lecture by Gerard Pink scheduled for 16 November at 6 p.m. in the Lecture Theatre at Elephant and Castle. It was produced in the United Kingdom, likely in the early 20th century, and is attributed to Tom Eckersley, a noted British graphic designer.

Context

The work reflects the post‑war British interest in visual communication and public education, where graphic designers like Eckersley applied modernist principles to institutional messaging. Posters of this type served both promotional and instructional functions within academic and cultural societies.