Found Love in Books London British Library

Print description

This print shows two people that share a love for books, and where better to meet than the beautiful space than the main hall at the British Library in London.

Print details

To create this print, I start by crafting individual drawings in ink, which collectively form a collage comprising the final piece. I scan my drawings and digitally add colour. The original design solely exists in digital format, and I print it using archival inks and paper. I then release my design as a limited edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).

British Library in London by Colin St John Wilson and MJ Long

As an enthusiastic visitor, walking into the British Library feels like stepping into a treasure trove of knowledge and history. The moment you enter the vast entrance hall, you’re greeted by the sense of importance that this institution holds as one of the world’s great repositories of literature and culture. The library itself is a blend of the old and the new—modern architecture housing priceless artifacts, manuscripts, and books that have shaped human thought for centuries.

One of the first things that catches your eye is the towering King’s Library, encased in glass in the middle of the atrium. It’s an incredible sight—hundreds of old leather-bound volumes stacked up to the ceiling, preserved for future generations. This collection, donated by King George III, is a silent reminder of the knowledge collected and safeguarded within these walls.

As you walk through the building, you’ll often stumble upon temporary and permanent exhibitions that showcase rare and historical manuscripts, artworks, and artifacts. From ancient religious texts to Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, the library exhibits an incredible diversity of items. The Treasures Gallery is always a must-see, featuring original works from Shakespeare, the Magna Carta, handwritten lyrics by The Beatles, and so much more.

There’s a buzz of excitement that comes from knowing these collections are not only preserved but displayed for people to admire, learn from, and be inspired by. Visiting the exhibitions is a chance to get up close to history, seeing the intricate details of medieval manuscripts or early printed books.

And, of course, the gift shop! The British Library shop is perfect for bibliophiles and history lovers alike. Whether you’re looking for beautiful reproductions of illuminated manuscripts, unique stationery, literary-inspired gifts, or books on the library’s collections, it’s hard to walk away empty-handed.

The whole experience of visiting the British Library is one of inspiration, discovery, and connection with the past. It’s not just a place for research; it’s a space where history, art, and literature come alive for all who visit. Every corner offers something new to explore, whether you’re marvelling at the exhibitions or getting lost in the rows of books and manuscripts that hold the wisdom of centuries.

People and Places Revelations of Love

I love visiting the British Library. It regularly hosts different exhibitions, and in January 2025, I saw the show Medieval Women: In Their Own Words, which was fascinating. Among the exhibits was Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love, circa 1675. I have borrowed this title to name my series of prints People and Places: Revelations of Love.

After recovering from her illness, Julian of Norwich chose to live as an anchoress—a woman who voluntarily isolated herself in a cell to dedicate her life to God. During her solitude, she meditated deeply on her spiritual visions. Many years later, she wrote a second version of her Revelations, known as the ‘Long Text,’ where she elaborated on the theological significance of these visions in much greater depth. This version has survived only through 17th-century copies made by English nuns in exile in Paris and Cambrai.

Another masterpiece I saw in this exhibition was a medieval book with an illustration titled Christine de Pisan with Queen Isabeau. Somehow, the vibrant colors of medieval books have also been a source of inspiration for this series

This work echoes many different sources, from Vuillard’s colourful depictions of the domestic patterned interior, many of which I saw at Pallant House Gallery in 2022, to the Alekos Fassianos Foundation, which I visited in Athens during the summer of 2023. Also in a mental periphery I can think of Ben Nicholson still lifes with his everyday objects; or Gwen John interiors, specially one exquisite painting ‘La chambre sur la cour’ that depicts an balcony

The human figure in a scene

I have been running life drawing sessions in Brighton for many years, and the depiction of the human form fascinates me. Through this piece, I aim to express both my personal experiences and the environment where I live. So the inclusion of a figure is very important, referencing one of my living art heroes, artist Louis Fratino, with his modernist cubic contemporary classics. It also draws inspiration from a recent exhibition at Studio Voltaire in London, that featured a pairing of works by Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland, held in the summer of 2024