John Reynolds is a New Zealand based contemporary artist, Arts Foundation Laureate, Sydney Biennale headliner and Walters Prize nominee. John began painting large abstract panels, however, has moved towards creating work with a typographic and structural foundation and has embraced smaller formats which has, amongst others, included postcards and stamps.

Blutopia is a full colour reproduction of John Reynolds’ Bluetopia series from 2014 which uses form, image, type and composition, bound by the theme of blue, to draw on association and make connections that are both visceral and intellectual. These connections are explored by Laurence Simmons as complimentary essays.

Blutopia is published by Six Point Press, is a collaboration with creative director Arch MacDonnell, and features cover and layouts by Aukland based graphic design studio Inhouse.

Inhouse’s approach to print embraces a robust and weighty hardback navy blue cover with a large overhang and deep crease, and the juxtaposition of a matt fabric surface texture alongside the gloss of a blue block foil. Together these details make the most of John’s distinctive signature Blutopia logotype and function well to unite a variety of individual covers.

Inside, generous white boarders effectively frame and draw the eye towards artwork, while copy, in contrast, runs unusually close to the edges. Where the images are dynamic, essays appear structured, balancing the expression and energy of John Reynolds’ work with the insight and contemplative nature of Laurence Simmons words. More from Inhosue on BP&O.

Design: Inhouse Opinion: Richard Baird