John Robinson
John Robinson trained at Guildford School of Arts and Crafts in
Surrey gaining City and Guilds in both Letterpress & Stationary
binding. He then took up a binding position with the Benedictine
Order of Monks at Farnborough Abbey. He was later asked to set up a
bindery in a publishing house. After 3 years he set up his own
business and has been self-employed for a number of years, prize
winner of Society of Bookbinders' competition for restored or
conserved binding in 1995 and again in 1999. John has taught at
Guildford Technical College and with a bookbinding group at
Wellington College.
Describe your approcah to teaching:
Very much a hands on approach. Teaching through demonstration and
then encouraging students to develop the skills and confidence to
work on their own books. Studying various binding techniques used
throughout the centuries.
What inspires your own work?
I get inspiration from the feel and smell of old leather bound
tomes and the workmanship carried out over the decades. What
important world events have happened during the lifetime of the
binding.
