A screenprinted collaboration between DFP, artist Steve Simpson and poet Stephen James Smith. Hand screen printed with 2 inks / Purple / Turquoise Size - 645 X 475 mmStock - Screenprinted on 285gsm recycled birch paperEdition size - 110Signed by artist Steve Simpson and Poet Stephen James Smith ABOUT THIS COLLABGraphic design legend Steve Simpson has been let loose in the Damn Fine Print studio for an exciting new design project with contemporary Irish poet Stephen James Smith. Simpson, whose iconic style has adorned everything from whiskey bottles to plastic toys, classic cars and giant billboards in New York’s Times Square, uses Smith’s epic monologue My Ireland as his inspiration for a limited edition print made by hand in the Damn Fine Print studio. Smith’s masterpiece, a 1700-word ode to contemporary Ireland, was commissioned last year for the St Patrick’s Festival and has been recognised and acclaimed by critics as an exciting, irreverent and at times angry tribute to modern Irish culture. Taking this poem as his source, Simpson illustrates it with his trademark style of whimsical illustration and playful fonts to depict Smith’s fast-flowing words like the rivers and twisted tributaries of the Ireland that inspired him. The piece, shown here in its journey from notebook sketch to perfected hand print signed in the studio by both artists, was printed by Simpson himself, with a little supervision from the master printers at Damn Fine print. Speaking about the collaboration, Simpson says: “I’m a big fan of Stephen James Smith and have wanted to work with him since I first got to know his works five years ago. “It’s a powerful poem that takes you on a real journey, the visual imagery alone made me want to get in touch with him and ask about creating a print to accompany it.” Smith, a Dublin poet and playwright at the centre of the rising spoken word scene in Ireland, says of the piece: “I don’t know if it’s even a poem. It’s me just opening up my arms to Ireland, and trying to see what I can grab. And trying to talk from my heart.” Damn Fine Print creative director Kim Willoughby says: “We wanted to do something exciting and contemporary for St Patrick’s Day that would celebrate modern Ireland without being twee or covered in plastic leprechauns. “The studio here in Stoneybatter is all about collaboration and creative new projects so it was an honour to join forces with these two leading talents to work on an inspiring one-off piece.” ABOUT THE ARTISTSSteve Simpson is a renowned artists famous for his hand lettered packaging design and fun, whimsical characters. He has won over 50 awards for design and illustration including Gold awards from the Association of Illustrators, the IDI, ICAN and the Illustrators’ Guild Of Ireland   Stephen James Smith: Stephen is a co-founder of Ireland’s only spoken word festival, LINGO, and poetry curator at the annual First Fortnight Festival. His poetry videos have been viewed over one million times and he has appeared at high-profile events across the country like the National Concert Hall and Electric Picnic. His debut collection of work, Fear Not, is due out in 2018. Damn Fine Print is a screenprinting, design studio and events company based in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.