Newcastle’s Best Kept Art Secret? Risograph Printing at Pudding Chare with Artist Van Goth at Nowt Special and Vanguard Gallery
Newcastle’s Pudding Chare, has become home to a unique piece of printing history, as pop up art gallery show Nowt Special collaborates with Vanguard Newcastle Gallery to showcase the only Risograph printing machine of its kind in the country. peep magazine got the exclusive interview with Nowt Special co-founder Van Goth at the Vanguard gallery art show exhibition. peep go into detail with macabre Nowt Special artist ‘Van Goth’ to explore the cult following behind this Japanese Risogrpah printing technique that’s captured the imagination of Newcastle’s underground art scene.
Van Goth walked us through the Risograph’s fascinating origins in Japan, where it was developed in the 1980s as a fast, affordable printing solution before being adopted by zine makers and artists worldwide for its distinctive, vibrant aesthetic.
Also mentioned within the conversation were fellow Newcastle street artists and creatives – ‘Cack Handed Kid’ and self proclaimed wall botherer – ‘The Writings is on the Wall.art’ , who shared their experiences working with the machine and how its unique layering process creates those signature imperfect, textured prints that have made Risograph printing art so sought after. This collaboration brings together Newcastle’s most innovative artists to celebrate a printing revolution that’s as much about community and DIY culture as it is about the art itself.
Risograph Printing Art Exhibition Rooted in Process, Not Promotion
The Nowt Special showcase at Vanguard Gallery represents more than just an exhibition – it’s a statement about community, accessibility, and the democratisation of art in the North East. Van Goth explains that the Risograph printing machine, originally developed in Japan for high-speed duplicating, has been reclaimed by artists and zine makers worldwide as a tool for authentic, affordable printmaking. This collaboration between Nowt Special and Vanguard Gallery signals a new chapter for both organizations, combining Nowt Special’s DIY ethos with Vanguard’s established presence in Newcastle’s art scene.
The building’s transformation from cat cafe store to cultural hub embodies the adaptive, resourceful spirit that defines Newcastle’s independent art movement, and Van Goth’s vision ensures that the Risograph printer will remain accessible to artists across the region for years to come.
Cack Handed Kid and The Writing Is On The Wall.Art
This collaboration brings together Newcastle’s most innovative street artists to celebrate a printing revolution that’s as much about community and DIY culture, as it is about the art itself. Van Goth also mentions and recalls a previous art exhibition on Ouseburn, Lime Street showcased by the Writing Is On The wall Dot Art and Cack Handed Kid called ‘There Is Beauty In Decay’ and explains he may never ‘beat that’ for the pop up underground gallery success and popularity. We thought this would be a great opportunity to maybe recap on this exhibition, here is the link Lime Street art exhibition peep interviewed both artist at the location completely on the spot and un-scripted.
peep interview Nowt Special Co-Founder Van Goth At Vanguard Gallery Pudding Chare, Newcastle
Below, is the complete walkthrough and interview with Nowt Special co – founder Van Goth. peep interview Van Goth about the Risograph Printer machine and how The Vanguard Gallery and Nowt Special have joined forces to promote Newcastle’s underground art movement. Please subscribe to our channel and help us support the Under-represented in the North East of England.
