“Two ink colors and a screenprint rack.” Beck has by no means sung that, however maybe he would possibly if he ever hooks up with Christopher and Alex White of We Three Membership. The Cambridgeshire-based artistic studio has simply launched ‘2 or 3 Colors’ – a retrospective drawn from their 15 years working with bands and festivals, creating highly effective, graphical screen-printed posters.
Inside, you may discover the We Three Membership’s 2010-2025 gig poster archive, that includes over 130 artworks printed throughout greater than 140 pages at A4 measurement. It consists of acts comparable to Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, Amyl and the Sniffers, Metz, Sampha, Florence and the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, and lots of extra.
“We needed to have fun 15 years of designing posters collectively as We Three Membership,” says Christopher White. “Between us, we have really been doing this even longer – beginning out in bands, placing on our personal reveals, and making posters out of necessity. What started as a DIY effort developed into one thing a lot greater, and this guide serves as a approach to doc that journey. It is a assortment of the work we’re most pleased with – posters, prints, and a take a look at the method behind them.”
The title ‘2 or 3 Colors’ originates immediately from the screen-printing course of. It means that you can use as many colors as you need, however We Three Membership at all times units a restrict of two or three, difficult themselves to design creating gorgeous paintings each time, inside these parameters. The handmade course of yields work that is tactile and genuine, providing one thing unique for followers to take house with them.
Then there’s the thrill of working with artists who’re family names. “A giant second was making a poster for Johnny Marr,” says Chris. “Assembly him was surreal. The Smiths have at all times been certainly one of my favorite bands. I used to dream of working with Morrissey, however I believe it is protected to say we’re not likely on the identical wavelength as of late!”
He continues: “And Les Savy Fav at Inexperienced Man Pageant is at all times a spotlight. Every year, we collaborate with a choose group of artists, together with the UK Poster Affiliation, to curate a poster sales space and produce prints for a number of the line-ups. We have seen LSF reside a great deal of occasions, and having our children there to satisfy the band made it further particular.”
When We Three Membership started this endeavour, it was uncommon to see printed posters on the merchandise stand at a live performance. They’d have to clarify what they have been and why that they had worth to attendees. At the moment, a bespoke gig poster is sort of anticipated. This has fostered a neighborhood of like-minded poster artists within the UK.
At the moment, Chris and Alex produce other artistic pursuits as nicely, however We Three Membership stays a part of who they’re and what they do. “We’ll proceed working with a few of our favorite bands and purchasers, although as of late we’re a bit extra selective about what we tackle,” says Chris. ‘2 or 3 Colors’ seems like a metaphorical full-stop, but additionally a approach to mark a brand new chapter.”
Christopher and Alex White (c) Kellye Spike.
