The secret life of the pencil

On view at Paul Smith’s store in London Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney’s photographic project that seeks to savour the use of pencils showing the secrets of their use.

The humble pencil is found where most of mankind’s greatest achievements begin.

But will the touch-screen generation ever feel the pleasure of a freshly sharpened pencil or the frustration of a shattered lead?

Top: Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, The secret life of the pencil. Tom Dixon’s pencil. Above: Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, The secret life of the pencil. b>Left: Posy Simmonds’ pencil. Right: Julia Quenzler’s pencil

This photographic project seeks to savour the use of pencils – documenting them in stunning detail, and thereby showing the secrets of their use and revealing an insight into their users: professionals who have defined themselves and their craft with the help of the modest stylus.

Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, The secret life of the pencil.Stephen Fry’s pencil

Unassuming, unsung and 0.02% the cost of an ipad, our faithful friend continues to lead its many secret lives alongside much more complex technology but at the heart of our most decisive and moving creators. This collection of pencil images is a direct link back to some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ greatest illustrations, buildings, artworks, photographs, products, make-up designs, graphics, novels, poems, fashion, cartoons and even films.

In support of the Children in Crisis an online auction has also been organized.

Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, <i>The secret life of the pencil</i>. <b>Left</b>: Paul Smith’s pencil. <b>Right</b>: William Boyd’s pencil
Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, <i>The secret life of the pencil</i>. <b>Left</b>: James Dyson’s pencil. <b>Right</b>: Alexander McCall-Smith’s pencil
Alex Hammond and Mike Tinney, <i>The secret life of the pencil</i>. Christopher Reid’s pencils


until June 03, 2015
The secret life of the pencil
Paul Smith
No. 9 Albemarle Street, London
Charity Auction
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