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A pair of hands holding up the Make Friends With Failure signed Athena Kugblenu print.
A close up of Athena Kugblenu's signature on the Make Friends With Failure signed print.
A close up of the typography on the Make Friends With Failure signed print.
A close up of the typography on the Make Friends With Failure signed print.

Athena Kugblenu Autographed Print

$43.20

MAKE FRIENDS WITH FAILURE.

A piece of advice that's probably more useful than pretending it isn't going to happen.

Comedian and writer Athena Kugblenu provides the words for this limited-edition collaboration with acclaimed graphic artist Anthony Burrill, taking a refreshingly realistic approach to the traditional inspirational quote.

Athena is known for intelligent, sharp and thoughtful comedy, with appearances including Mock the Week and Richard Osman's House of Games. Her extensive writing credits range from Horrible Histories and The Russell Howard Hour to Dead Ringers, The News Quiz and The Lenny Henry Show. “Make Friends With Failure” feels very much at home in that world: funny, direct and carrying a little more truth than your average motivational slogan.

The words are brought to life by Anthony Burrill, one of Britain's best-known graphic artists and printmakers. Typography and short, direct statements have become central to Burrill's work, including his celebrated Work Hard & Be Nice to People. His work is held in the permanent collections of the V&A and Design Museum in London and Cooper Hewitt in New York.

Here, Burrill gives Athena's quote his unmistakable typographic treatment. Bold black lettering fills the page, allowing the words and their slightly subversive take on positivity to do all the work. Produced as a one-colour screen print on heavyweight 350gsm stock, the simplicity of the design puts the focus firmly on the message and the physical quality of the print.

Only 100 copies have been produced, with each one personally signed by both Athena Kugblenu and Anthony Burrill. It's a meeting of comedy and contemporary graphic art that manages to be motivational without taking itself too seriously.

Commissioned and published by Teenage Cancer Trust, every purchase helps support our work providing specialist care and support to young people with cancer.

Product details

  • Limited edition of 100
  • Hand signed by Athena Kugblenu and Anthony Burrill
  • Quote by Athena Kugblenu
  • Artwork by Anthony Burrill
  • One-colour screen print
  • Printed on heavyweight 350gsm stock
  • A3 print measuring 420 × 270mm
  • Commissioned and published by Teenage Cancer Trust
  • Printed by Harvey Lloyd Studio, Wadhurst, UK
  • Unframed

Please note:

As each print is individually hand signed, the position of the signatures may vary slightly from the product image.

International customers are responsible for any import fees or duties payable on delivery.