Painter and print maker Gordon House was immersed in the pop art movement of the 1960s, his work reflecting his roots as a graphic designer obsessed with shape and grids. His clients included ICI, the Arts Council, the Robert Fraser Gallery, and The Beatles (for whom he typeset Sgt Peppers and White Album).
Gordon House: Paint to Print at Broadway Gallery celebrates his legacy in his home town of Letchworth. The show’s identity reflects House’s typographic approach with a pared back but consistent hierarchy that minimises variation in type and embraces negative space. Simple outlined shapes taken from House’s own work tease a vision of the show as well as performing as subtle wayfinding devices.
The show made a splash in Letchworth attracting increased visitor numbers for the gallery. But more impactful was its celebration of the city’s own creativity, paving the way for a show focusing on the work of Letchworth architect and urban planner Barry Parker.