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The eccentric world of Total Pap
26 February 2020
4walls got in touch with artist Justin Mitchell of Total Pap to learn more about their one of a kind team and distinctive style.
Total Pap comprises of artists Justin Mitchell and Emily Firmin (the same Emily from Bagpuss!) and was formed in 1990. Justin achieved a U grade in his O level art, and nowadays this is an ironic comparison against Justin’s successes within his career, proving what many artists will have experienced - a single grade doesn’t define your potential!
Total Pap offer a variety of art forms including papier mache, automata and linocuts to name but a few. Justin shared some of his favourite pieces to date with us: “The Clown Stamp we made for the Greetings stamp set, commissioned by Royal Mail in the early 90s. Our stamp not only sat alongside images by Rodin, Lowry, Eric Gill and Beryl Cook amongst others, but also, marvellously, our clown image was used to promote Post Offices around the UK.
“The building commissions of The Sportsman and Cafe des Amis restaurants were also great to make with their little LED lights behind real glass windows, so you can see the customers eating.”
We were keen to find out where Justin finds inspiration for all the eccentrically individual work done at Total Pap. He told us that he and Emily often inspire each other, but in the past would find inspiration from a variety of places such as: “Jan Svankmajer, HM Bateman, Frank Nelson, African folk art, American folk art, Egyptian art, history, nature, silly animals and even sillier people, all the family and friends who actively encouraged places and spaces to improvise and develop ideas without fear of derision.”
When framing their work, Justin informed us that for the papier mache pictures and automata, they often make their own frames. However, for the linocuts, which are done on their enormous 1869 Albion press, they have them framed at Whistable Framers, with Justin stating: “They always look classier in a framers shop frame”.
To see more of the unique style that Total Pap offers, visit their website.
totalpap.co.uk
Total Pap comprises of artists Justin Mitchell and Emily Firmin (the same Emily from Bagpuss!) and was formed in 1990. Justin achieved a U grade in his O level art, and nowadays this is an ironic comparison against Justin’s successes within his career, proving what many artists will have experienced - a single grade doesn’t define your potential!
Total Pap offer a variety of art forms including papier mache, automata and linocuts to name but a few. Justin shared some of his favourite pieces to date with us: “The Clown Stamp we made for the Greetings stamp set, commissioned by Royal Mail in the early 90s. Our stamp not only sat alongside images by Rodin, Lowry, Eric Gill and Beryl Cook amongst others, but also, marvellously, our clown image was used to promote Post Offices around the UK.
“The building commissions of The Sportsman and Cafe des Amis restaurants were also great to make with their little LED lights behind real glass windows, so you can see the customers eating.”
We were keen to find out where Justin finds inspiration for all the eccentrically individual work done at Total Pap. He told us that he and Emily often inspire each other, but in the past would find inspiration from a variety of places such as: “Jan Svankmajer, HM Bateman, Frank Nelson, African folk art, American folk art, Egyptian art, history, nature, silly animals and even sillier people, all the family and friends who actively encouraged places and spaces to improvise and develop ideas without fear of derision.”
When framing their work, Justin informed us that for the papier mache pictures and automata, they often make their own frames. However, for the linocuts, which are done on their enormous 1869 Albion press, they have them framed at Whistable Framers, with Justin stating: “They always look classier in a framers shop frame”.
To see more of the unique style that Total Pap offers, visit their website.
totalpap.co.uk
