Matt Holmes is the principal researcher & director of the Hybrid Print R&D Lab, hosted by Ocean Studios.
He is undertaking a PhD in Digital Arts and Technology, with a focus on the cultural impact of digital fabrication on established heritage crafts practices.
Matt’s current area of work involves the agency and authenticity of craft in the digital age, how modern technology can work to protect, augment or evolve traditional heritage practices. His practice includes working to preserve and evolve the craft of Letterpress, by creating accessible tools to aid the goal of re-democratising heritage skills.
Matt is a graduate from the University of Plymouth, having first studied a BA(Hons) in 3D Design (Designer Maker specialism), followed by an MA in Design.
Research Profiles
ORCID profile:
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5724-6313
Researchgate: Matt Holmes
Personal links
Media & Publications
Research Publications:
Holmes, Matt & Veliz Reyes, Alejandro. (2024). Digital Hybridities: Theorising the ‘Social’ and the ‘Local’ of Fabrication Technologies in Craft Practice. DOI:10.1007/978-981-97-0621-1_14
[ResearchGate]
ARTICLES:
March 2022: Pressing Matter Magazine, Issue 18, pg7. Interview.
March 2022: Arts University Plymouth: Our Journal: “Matt Holmes: Finding Beauty in Imperfection” – [Read Here]
October 2020: People of Print: “50 Letterpress Printers, Studios, and Artists you should all know about” – [Read Here]
February/March 2018: Make Magazine, Volume 61: pg13: “A Marvelous Mix” – [Read Here]
VIDEOS:
March 2022: University of Plymouth: Interview: “Combining modern technology & heritage crafts to make a digitally fabricated 3D printed letterpress” – [Watch Here]
May 2019: University of Plymouth: Interview: “Creating a Japanese style workbench” – [Watch Here]
April 2019: University of Plymouth: Interview: “Using modern materials to preserve Letterpress” – [Watch Here]
TALKS/CONFERENCES:
February 2024: Print in Action Creative Intersections: Talk
November 2023: 15th Annual Hamilton Wayzgoose, Wisconsin USA: Talk (PiP x LEAD PrintFutures Live)
February 2022: PiP x LEAD Print Futures Winter Edition: https://partnersinprint.org/programs/print-futures/
November 2021: University of Plymouth: Visiting Lecture Series
RESIDENCIES & EXHIBITIONS:
October 2022: Print in Action Festival, Ocean Studios, Plymouth.
May 2022 – June 2022: Open Studio Installation, Ocean Studios, Plymouth.
December 2021 – March 2022: Real Ideas Printmakers Residency, Ocean Studios, Plymouth.
November 2021: MA Design Degree Show, Millennium Building, Plymouth.