Imelda May – Beneath the Silken Sun

The National Print Museum is delighted to announce a new print collaboration with singer-songwriter and poet, Imelda May – Beneath the Silken Sun, For Susan and Elizabeth Yeats. 

Beneath the Silken Sun is a poem written by May for the Sky Arts documentary, Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters. This documentary tells the story of two remarkable women, Susan (Lily) and Elizabeth (Lolly) Yeats, who were two significant figures of the Irish and the international Arts and Crafts Movement of the early twentieth century.

The poem has been handset and printed letterpress at the Museum by Mary Plunkett in a limited edition of 50, with all prints numbered and signed by May. A further 20 prints, numbered with roman numerals, have been printed for the artist for private distribution.

The typeface used is Caslon, the same face used by Elizabeth Yeats throughout the books and broadsides of the Dun Emer Press and Cuala Press. The paper used is handmade 145gsm graphic paper from the Czech Republic and incorporates the Museum’s logo in the watermark. A further 20 prints, numbered with roman numerals, have been printed for the artist for private distribution. All proceeds raised will be reinvested in the preservation and celebration of the craft at the Museum.

This is a unique opportunity to acquire new work by Imelda May produced in the traditional manner of the Yeats sisters.