Material relating to Christopher Hewett and the Taranman Press

Scope and Content

Publications and papers relating to Christopher Hewett (1938-1983), who was one of Strachan's most brilliant pupils at Bishop's Stortford College, and subsequently became a good friend. After a period of National Service, he attended the Ruskin School of Drawing at Oxford and the Royal College of Art. In 1974 he opened Taranman Gallery and private press in London, and hosted exhibitions of work by many of the sculptors and graphic artists Strachan admired. In 1976 Taranman published a limited edition of Strachan's Poems, and in the early eighties, Hewett edited a selection of letters sent to Strachan: The living curve: letters to W.J. Strachan 1929-1979. This was due for publication in 1983, but publication was delayed when Hewett died suddenly in December 1983. Geoffrey Strachan subsequently took over as 'caretaker editor' to see the volume through to press.

This series of material includes: proofs or publications of Taranman Press with which Walter Strachan had some association (including his own Poems, The living curve, and a number of exhibition catalogues); some original drawings by Hewett which were presumably given to Strachan; extensive correspondence generated by both Hewett and Geoffrey Strachan during the planning for, and publication of, The living curve - including letters from a number of the figures whose letters were included in the book; and drafts of writings about Hewett by Strachan, most of which were intended for his memoirs.

Arrangement

Arrangement is broadly based on Geoffrey Strachan's ordering of the material.