Rachel Ward-Sale

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tell me a story 2025

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Rachel studied Art, Design and Bookbinding at The University of Brighton. 

Since leaving college she has worked as a self-employed bookbinder, co-founding Bookbinders of Lewes in 1992. She undertakes a wide variety of projects and commissions including designed fine bindings for commissions and exhibitions.

She teaches bookbinding at her studio and other venues, including West Dean College, Chichester. 

 

In 2005 she was elected a Fellow of Designer Bookbinders, serving as President

From 2019-2021. 

 

Rachel has been awarded prizes in national and international competitions, including second prize in the Designer Bookbinders International Competition in 2017. Her work has been exhibited at venues in the UK and abroad, including Collect in London and Windsor Castle. Rachel's work is represented in collections around the world including the Getty, Bodleian and British Libraries as well as the Royal Collection.

 

While primarily working in leather Rachel also explores other materials including acrylic, paper and velum in her bindings creating contemporary alternatives to the traditionally bound book. Texture, both natural and manufactured, has been a recurring influence on her work. Recently she has been concentrating on this element of design using a variety of found objects, natural and man-made as well as collagraph and printing blocks to impress into leather and paper creating unpredictable and tactile results. 

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Click images for details and if you are interested in any of Rachel Ward-Sale's work please enquire below.​​​​​​​