“Omar Majeed has had a long lasting interest in writing, design and photography that formed working on the school newspaper and crystallized at art college. Having a creative outlet is important to him and comes in several guises, from poetry to painting. He has studied photography and graphic design and is currently on the portfolio course learning how to use new techniques and materials. He has worked sporadically as a copywriter, recently on an art blog.”
Gravity zine is a DIY publication based in Hereford. It has its origins in a title called Gravity Serpent which came about as a result of a late night conversation with my housemate Stu when I was living in Kingston, Surrey.
We had been watching The Baader Meinhof Complex and were somehow stirred into creating something. We didn’t know if we wanted to make an experimental film, or write a collaborate novel.
When we thought of making a zine, that was it. The title was his idea, appropriated from a Medusa Cyclone track. Mike from Medusa Cyclone would later contribute photography to the zine.
I have made zines on and off since my first time at art college in 2003. I like the immediacy and accessibility of the format. I like my zines to be collaborative, showcasing artists and creatives whose work I admire. It becomes something of a community.
When I moved back to Hereford, I wanted to shorten the name to Gravity. The first 3 issues were purely photocopied and stapled. After that we started letterpressing the covers under stewardship of Liam Bromage. It was refreshing to have a bit of colour on the front and the printing process gave a cleaner impression that was still handmade. We also started hand binding the pages with coloured thread.
As well as being the first to feature a letterpressed cover, Issue 4 was the first themed issue, and added a sense of coherence throughout the work. Previously it had been quite eclectic but perhaps lacked focus. Since the first issue we have had patterned inner pages by Rosie Pochemka that became themed by issue 4.
Tasty Hamburger by Lucy Ross
The Internet is Full of Cats by Bans
What’s New in Issue 8 ?
Since then we have had fashion, storytelling, and food themed issues. Issue 8 is set to be on the subject of Cinema. We are still looking for submissions until 30th January. It has been a principle that all featured artists should get a free copy, often sent in the post to our more remote contributors.
I am working with Johnny Burrage on a film called ‘Lorem Ipsum’ for a launch party mid-February, to be announced properly nearer the time on our Facebook page and blog. Issue 8 will be the last issue of Gravity and we intend to go out with a bang. Perhaps it will be back in some other form.
Gravity is available online here and the last issue is stocked in the burger heaven that is A Rule of Tum.
Article by Omar Majeed
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