Keeping the Craft Alive: A Q&A with London Centre for Book Arts

Most of us don't give much thought to how a book is made. We buy them, read them and put them on a shelf. But behind a traditionally made book is a craft involving a range of skills, techniques and specialist tools.

We recently caught up with Ira Yonemura, co-founder of the London Centre for Book Arts (LCBA), to find out more about traditional bookbinding, how the centre came about and what it is doing to keep these skills alive.

We supply tools to LCBA, so it was great to learn more about the centre and the work that goes on there.

What is traditional bookbinding?

Traditional bookbinding is the craft of making a book by hand, using methods that existed long before books were mass produced.

"It usually starts with folding sheets into sections, then sewing those sections together along the spine, and then attaching that to a cover," Ira explains.

"That's the most basic description of bookbinding, but in practice it can mean different things to different people."

From art and drawing to books and publishing

Ira founded LCBA with his partner, Simon Goode. Their backgrounds are quite different, but both played a part in shaping the centre.

Simon studied Book Arts and Crafts at London College of Communication on a course with a practical, craft-based approach. His knowledge and passion for bookbinding and letterpress printing form the foundation of LCBA's facilities and programming.

Ira studied Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, focusing on drawing. This eventually led towards prints, books and publications.

"What drew me in was realising that books could be a far more accessible and democratic way of getting work out into the world, something outside the gallery system," Ira says.

"That's when I started working with other artists and designers on publishing projects, and exploring different ways of working collectively."

Why LCBA was founded

LCBA was established in 2012 after Ira and Simon recognised a problem facing many people who had trained in specialist book arts skills.

"If you study these things in art school, you'll soon find that it's very difficult and expensive to continue what you were trained to do after graduating," Ira says.

"The specialist equipment and facilities just aren't accessible once you're on your own. I guess we were reacting to that situation when we started LCBA in 2012."

The centre was created to give people access to the facilities and equipment they needed to continue making, whether they were beginners or already had an established practice.

When asked what they hoped LCBA would become, Ira says there wasn't a detailed plan from the beginning.

"It's hard to remember exactly what our hopes were back then, it was more instinct than plan. But thinking about it now, our biggest hope is that we keep the craft and skills alive and, crucially, relevant for the next generation.

"I hope that we remain a place that people can rely on to support their practices at whatever stage they're at."

Getting started with bookbinding

If you're interested in trying bookbinding yourself, Ira recommends starting simply.

"The best first step is usually a simple pamphlet stitch," he says. "All you need is a bone folder, awl, shoe knife, needle and thread, and some paper. Once you get the hang of it, you can start experimenting with different techniques and different tools."

It is a good example of how accessible bookbinding can be. You don't need a full workshop to make your first book, just a few basic tools and some paper.

Building a community

Community wasn't necessarily part of the original plan for LCBA.

"We didn't set out to build a community per se, we were just trying to make rent every month," Ira says. "But it's become one of the most rewarding parts of running the studio."

Both Ira and Simon worked in restaurants and pubs while putting themselves through art school, and Ira believes that experience has influenced how they run LCBA.

"I think that gave us a lasting instinct for hospitality and for making people feel welcome. Some of our members have been with us since 2012, and we count many of them as dear friends, not just members."

What's next for LCBA?

LCBA's current lease runs out in 2029, and the centre has launched its Future Fund to help secure a permanent home.

When asked about ambitions for the next decade, Ira's answer was simple: "More of the same, but in a new location."

A permanent home would allow LCBA to double its capacity, expand its programme and build what Ira describes as "a lasting cultural destination in London dedicated to books and their makers."

We're proud to supply tools to the London Centre for Book Arts and support the work they are doing to keep these traditional skills accessible to future generations.

To find out more about LCBA, including its workshops, facilities and Future Fund, visit the London Centre for Book Arts website.

https://londonbookarts.org/en-us

Check out their Instagram here @londonbookarts