Precision line work and impressionistic styles clash in volume 20

Poetry and Audience

Exploring the evolving design of the pioneering Poetry and Audience magazine. An online exhibition from Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Poetry and Audience 6th November, 1953. Editor: Ralph Maud. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Hubert Dalwood's logo

Poetry and Audience 11th October 1957. Editor: James Simmons. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The circle cover design

Poetry and Audience 6th October, 1961. Editor: Ben Sherriff. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

An experimental pamphlet cover

Poetry and Audience Pamphlets Number 2: Poems by John Quail. 1965/66/69. Editor: Roderick Wilson.. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The design continues to evolve

Poetry and Audience 29th November, 1963 Editor: Jeffrey Wainwright. 1965/66/69. Editor: Roderick Wilson.. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Stencilled lettering for volume 13

Poetry and Audience 15th October, 1965. Editor: Brian Oxley. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Precision line work and impressionistic styles clash in volume 20

Poetry and Audience Volume 20 Issue 2. Editor: Brian Oxley. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Mary Outram's illustration in volume 23

Poetry and Audience Volume 23 Issue 1. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Andy Arnold’s satirical cover design for volume 26

Poetry and Audience Volume 26 Issue 1. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The Grass’s Time by John Glover, Northern House

Northern House Pamphlet Poets: The Grass's Time

Poetry and Audience The Grass’s Time. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Designed by Lee Calcraft, the covers of P&A continued to become more visually appealing, whilst maintaining its handmade spirit.

Here the figure, presumably reading poetry, is unknowingly being spied upon by a host of eyes in the top right hand corner, symbolising the ever-present audience, which the magazine wishes to engage with.

The back cover however, reveals the eclectic and all-embracing nature of the magazine, through stylistic contrast; the precise penned lines, tight forms and complex patterns of the front cover are replaced by an impressionistic explosion of streaks of mauve and pink with a new relief title pressed in black over it.

However, note the similarity of both the 'P' and 'A' to the previous design, suggesting continuity despite the changing editors, contributors and cover designs.

CLASSMARK: University of Leeds, A-0.01 POE