Francis Van Maele Redfoxpress

1 of 4

Since 2005, artist duo Francis Van Maele and Antic-Ham have been designing, printing, and publishing limited edition artist books from their studio Redfoxpress on Achill Island, in Ireland’s County Mayo.

Francis’ fascinating journey to Achill Island began in Luxembourg, where he worked as a publisher from 1980 to 2002. In 2002, he moved to Ireland and founded Redfoxpress. Three years later, at a book fair in Seoul, he met Antic-Ham — a meeting that resulted in the pair becoming life and artistic partners, collaborating under the name ‘Franticham’. They moved to the remote and beautiful Achill Island together in 2005.

From their clifftop studio overlooking Doogort Beach, Francis and Antic-Ham create handcrafted books using collage, photography, laser printing, solvent transfer, risograph, stencils, rubber stamping, drawing, and found objects. Despite their remote location, they participate in around 10 international art book fairs annually, connecting their island practice with a global community of artists and collectors. Their books have even found their way into collections at the Tate Gallery, V&A Museum, MoMA Library, and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We speak with Francis about life on Achill Island, and how the pair maintain a worldwide reach from one of Ireland’s most remote corners.

Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Achill Island?

Francis Van Maele (fvm): I first visited Achill Island in 1991 on motorcycle trip. Since then, I had a particular interest in this place. We moved here in 2005, and have been running Redfoxpress since then.

(mg) What does Achill Island mean to you?

(fvm) Peaceful and quiet, interesting cultural heritage in the past, and present cultural community.

(mg) How does being on Achill Island shape what you do?

(fvm) We have quite a few publications based on local interests, but most of our books are not related to Ireland at all.

It is nice to see that we can create in a totally remote part of the world, but are working with artists from all over the world.

We can work isolated from people for several weeks, but then 10 times a year we participate in art book fairs in New York, LA, Miami, San Francisco, London, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, and Singapore. Antic-Ham loves this contrast, of isolation here and selling well at very busy exotic fairs.

(mg) What makes Achill Island different from other places you’ve lived or worked?

(fvm) Quiet life outside of the short tourist season.

(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the region that inspire you?

(fvm) The painter Camille Souter (unfortunately she passed away 2 years ago).

(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?

(fvm) We received a huge collection of sardine cans from the 70’s–80’s. We are really excited to make a special artist’s book about this subject.

It is nice to see that we can create in a totally remote part of the world, but are working with artists from all over the world.

(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?

(fvm) Deep South USA.

(mg) Where is your next travel destination?

(fvm) San Francisco, to participate at CODEX, an art book fair in Oakland. After that, we rent a car and are on the road in Arizona off the beaten paths.

(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?

(fvm) I have been travelling a lot since the 70’s. This shapes the way one is, and thinks. My early travels definitely led to a decision in 1980 to quit my engineer job for more creative work.

(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?

(fvm) Arizona — climate, nature, landscapes, history, photographical subjects.