Artwork
Bottom of the Garden
Bottom of the Garden is a print by Norfield. It dates from 2011 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Norfield made *Bottom of the Garden* in 2011 as a print.
The print is part of a yearly set by East London Printmakers.
Each year the group makes 40 small prints to support their work.
The boxed set helps fund artist workshops and studios.
They keep a few sets in museums and archives.
The prints are 30 x 30cm and sold to raise money.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
Bottom of the Garden is a 30 x 30 cm print created in 2011 by artist Norfield as part of the annual ELP Box series produced by East London Printmakers.
Bottom of the Garden is a 30 x 30 cm print created in 2011 by artist Norfield as part of the annual ELP Box series produced by East London Printmakers. The collective, founded in 1998 and based in Hackney, organizes this project to document members’ work and sustain its operations. Each year, 40 identical prints are produced and sold, with proceeds supporting studio maintenance, training, and professional development for participating artists.
Subject & Meaning
The title suggests a quiet, intimate landscape, possibly evoking personal memory or the overlooked spaces of urban life. While the image’s specific content is not detailed, its inclusion in a collective annual publication implies a focus on everyday observation rather than grand narrative. The work reflects the group’s interest in grounding printmaking in personal, local experience rather than institutional or commercial themes.
Technique & Style
As part of a printmaking collective, Norfield’s work likely employs traditional hand-printing methods such as relief, intaglio, or screenprinting. The uniform size and editioned nature of the ELP Box indicate a commitment to reproducibility and accessibility. The style appears restrained and deliberate, aligned with the group’s emphasis on craft and process over spectacle, prioritizing material integrity and subtle visual nuance.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in 2011 as part of East London Printmakers’ annual boxed edition. A portion of each year’s run is retained by public institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, ensuring the group’s output enters the historical record. The project began in the late 1990s as a way to archive member work and generate funds, evolving into a consistent platform for sustaining independent print practice in East London.
Context
East London Printmakers emerged in a post-industrial landscape where artist-run spaces became vital for sustaining creative practice outside mainstream galleries. The ELP Box reflects a broader trend of collectives using limited editions to fund shared resources. Its model—combining artistic collaboration, economic self-sufficiency, and public archiving—mirrors similar initiatives in UK urban art communities during the early 2000s.
Legacy
The annual ELP Box has become a documented record of evolving printmaking practices in East London over more than two decades. By placing sets in public collections like the V&A, the collective ensures its members’ work remains accessible for study and appreciation. The project exemplifies how artist-led initiatives can maintain long-term cultural relevance through disciplined collaboration and modest, sustainable production.
Artist & collection
Artist
Norfield made black-and-white prints that feel like quiet walks through ordinary spaces.
