Jonny Hannah – Star Gazy Pie – Signed Limited Edition Linocut 15/50 – 2008

Description

A highly characteristic original linocut by Jonny Hannah, entitled Star Gazy Pie, dating from 2008.

The work measures 21 × 21 cm and was issued in a small edition of only 50 impressions. This example is number 15/50 and is signed by Jonny Hannah.

The title refers to the celebrated Cornish dish stargazy pie, traditionally associated with the fishing village of Mousehole in Cornwall. The pie is famously prepared with whole fish arranged so that their heads project through the pastry and appear to be looking upwards towards the stars — an image that has become one of the most distinctive and eccentric motifs in British food folklore.

That combination of maritime tradition, regional identity, folk custom and visual oddity makes the subject particularly well suited to Hannah’s work. His practice repeatedly draws upon vernacular Britain: old songs, coastal life, popular graphics, hand lettering, traditional trades, folk imagery and the visual culture of everyday objects.

Stargazy Pie and Cornish Tradition

Stargazy pie is closely linked with the traditional story of Tom Bawcock, a Mousehole fisherman who, according to local legend, ventured to sea during a period of severe winter weather when the village was facing food shortages.

His successful catch was baked into an enormous pie with the fish heads protruding through the crust, symbolically demonstrating the abundance of fish within. The story is commemorated in Mousehole each December as Tom Bawcock’s Eve.

Whether approached as culinary tradition, folk tale or piece of Cornish identity, stargazy pie provides Hannah with precisely the kind of subject that suits his distinctive visual world: something simultaneously ordinary, eccentric, historic and deeply rooted in place.

Linocut and Hannah’s Graphic Language

The linocut process is particularly appropriate to Hannah’s work.

Cutting directly into the block produces the bold outlines, simplified forms and deliberate irregularities that characterise much of his printmaking. Rather than aspiring to mechanical perfection, Hannah allows the physical qualities of the medium — hand-cut edges, slight variations in ink and visible print texture — to remain part of the finished image.

This gives his linocuts an affinity with folk prints, old advertisements, hand-painted shop signs and inexpensive popular ephemera, while retaining the individuality of a contemporary artist-made print.

An Early Jonny Hannah Print

The 2008 date places Star Gazy Pie relatively early within Hannah’s independent printmaking output.

Works from this period already demonstrate many of the themes that became closely associated with his later practice: maritime culture, British vernacular traditions, food and drink, typography, folklore and the curious histories attached to everyday objects.

The restricted edition of only 50 impressions further adds to its collector interest.

Edition

This example is:

15/50

from an edition of only 50 impressions.

Each impression forms part of the original artist-authorised edition rather than being a later reproduction or commercially produced poster.

Artist

Jonny Hannah is a British illustrator, painter and printmaker known for a highly individual visual language combining folk art, hand lettering, maritime culture, music, popular graphics, old advertising and vernacular British traditions.

His work frequently takes familiar but culturally rich subjects and reinterprets them through bold drawing, handmade typography and traditional printmaking techniques.

Star Gazy Pie is an especially appealing example because its subject unites several of those interests: food, folklore, Cornwall, fishing culture and eccentric British tradition.

Condition

Very good to excellent condition overall.

The print presents strongly, with the signed edition details intact.

As an original linocut, small variations in ink density, line and surface texture should be understood as part of the handmade printmaking process rather than faults.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the description.

Artist: Jonny Hannah
Title: Star Gazy Pie
Date: 2008
Medium: Original linocut
Edition: 15/50
Edition size: 50
Signed: Yes, by Jonny Hannah
Size: 21 × 21 cm
Format: Original limited-edition artist’s print
Modern reproduction: No

Authenticity

This work has been handled, inspected and catalogued in-house at Hornseys before being offered for sale.

The edition number 15/50 and Jonny Hannah’s signature identify it as an original impression from the limited edition.

It is an original signed linocut, not a later photographic or digital reproduction.

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EXPLORE OUR JONNY HANNAH COLLECTION

Explore our evolving collection of Jonny Hannah original paintings, signed and limited-edition prints, illustrated books and related artworks. His distinctive imagery, hand lettering and narrative style draw upon music, maritime culture, vintage advertising, folk art, popular entertainment and the visual character of British towns and seaside communities.

Whether you are an established collector, an admirer of contemporary British illustration or searching for an unusual and memorable gift, our collection offers the opportunity to acquire carefully selected examples of Jonny Hannah’s work.

Established in 1976 and based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, Hornseys is an independent gallery and bookseller specialising in original art, prints, design, collectable books and historic material. Every item is handled, inspected and catalogued in-house at our Ripon gallery.