Enid Marx I

Yesterday was my last day in London and as ever when leaving or arriving in London Kings Cross, it is a great opportunity to visit 'The House of Illustration', this tiny gem of a gallery never disappoints.

Currently they have an exhibition of Enid Marx (1902-1998) a textile designer, printmaker and illustrator. Famous for her mid century design, her work on London underground upholstery fabrics and the stamps for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation stamps.

However for my first post on Enid's life and work I am going to focus on her love of cats and her woodcuts, as I found the woodcut below particularly striking, you can see in the foliage and other elements of this print, Enid's skills at creating pattern as well as her subtle use of contrasting colours.

Above: 'Tiger Tiger' Linocut, printed in colour, published by Curwen Press, 1958

Enid loved cats and the 'Two Cats' print below is based on her own cats 'Sam and Arry', these cats were also to be immortalised in one of her children's books.

Woodcut was the perfect medium for Enid and for textile design with the colour separation it requires. It was this technique which really defined the aesthetic of mid century design in Britain.