Description:

Sharon Alston was a multifaceted artist and activist who played a vital role in the women's movement and gay liberation in Aotearoa. Sadly, the work of Alston and so many other women involved in these movements is not recognised and correctly attributed.
Taking its name from the feminist initiative Broadsheet Magazine column ‘Kicking Against the Pricks’ to which she contributed to, this project is a celebration of Alston’s valuable contribution to the important movements that have shaped Aotearoa. Alongside her work, the publication includes stories and fond memories from other women’s rights activists who knew and respected her.
This project took an experimental approach to the design, following a historiographical approach, archive collecting, and experimentation to visually reflect the mahi Alston produced.
The result is a handprinted and handbound publication that includes a collected bibliography of Alston's work. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about Sharon Alston and the critical role she played in the women's movement and gay liberation in Aotearoa.
The publication utilises various paper stocks to create clear visual and textural as well as textual separation between sections. The hardcover of this book employs relief printing with transparent ink on recycled board, achieving a subtle deboss effect that balances legibility and texture.