‘Sort Of.’ is a publication designed for the artist George Shaw, in support of the ‘Small Returns’ exhibition at Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield.

I was very lucky to have had George’s permission to delve into and use his archive from his time studying at Sheffield Polytechnic between 1986 and 89, and as an emerging artist at Blast Lane from 1991 to 1993.

I was able to pick, choose and reveal an unseen narrative out of his drawings, photography, art writings and diary entries, notations, magazine clippings and family correspondence. The contents (reproduced at 1:1 scale) often juxtapose things from different sketch books and years to see how they talk to each other across the spreads and through the pages.

The publication also contains a large new text by George titled ‘Small Returns: Art Ambition and Awful Pies’, which is about his time in Sheffield, alongside a reading list and playlist from the time.

The name ‘Sort Of.’ comes from the collection of archive gallery labels for long forgotten art works.

I found George’s archive to be vulnerable, moving and honest, showing what it’s like to be an art student in Sheffield searching for yourself. In the sketchbooks and diaries, George is trying out different identities, through fashion, music and literature: an artist not fully formed yet.

Hopefully the publication reveals something of what makes George the artist he is today. It’s George Shaw… well, Sort Of.

The image below shows the original ‘Sort Of.’ label in George’s hand.