The First Draft

Published by Driftwood Editions, to coincide with the 13th edition of Amharc Fhine Gall (Fingal County Council Arts Office’s commissioning strand) — Rich Gilligan’s solo exhibition at Draíocht. The First Draft is an artistic homecoming, bringing internationally influenced work back to the roots of his creative journey and offers a contemplative look at the themes of belonging, identity and coming of age in suburbia — specifically Blanchardstown and Dublin 15, where the artist spent his formative years.

The book and exhibition revisit Gilligan’s early projects from Dublin 15, presented as non-sequential vignettes that explore the rich tapestry of life within the skating subculture in Ireland and the US over the last two decades. The linen case-bound book — finished with a blind-stamped white foil and a hand-finished tipped-in portrait — is distinguished by contrasting typographic styles, with a distinctly urban display face MFRED designed by the photographer's friend and client, Matt Willey, combined with the modern serif Tiempos for long-form texts.

The overall typographic identity is used across the book, exhibition catalogues*, promotional collateral* and the exhibition graphics*.

*presented separately.