The work and practice of graphic artist and typesetter Joseph Churchward will be celebrated in a new exhibition at Te Papa from August 21.

Featuring new acquisitions, including pencil sketches, print negatives, photographs and newspaper clippings, the exhibition provides a unique insight into the life and artistry of this Samoan-born master craftsman. Churchward has created over 570 original typefaces, more than any other individual in the world.The work and practice of graphic artist and typesetter Joseph Churchward will be celebrated in a new exhibition at Te Papa from August 21.

Featuring new acquisitions, including pencil sketches, print negatives, photographs and newspaper clippings, the exhibition provides a unique insight into the life and artistry of this Samoan-born master craftsman. Churchward has created over 570 original typefaces, more than any other individual in the world.The title font for Te Papa's exhibition Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand is one of Churchward's designs and he also helped to create the masthead for The Dominion Post newspaper.

Born in Samoa in 1933, Churchward came to Wellington to attend school in 1946 and was working as a commercial artist by the age of 15. In 1969, he founded Churchward International Typefaces, which became New Zealand's largest typesetting firm. A leading German company, Berthold Fototypes, accepted some of his fonts for international distribution, and they were soon in use throughout the world.

In an industry that is almost fully computerised, Churchward (now aged 75) continues to design fonts freehand, crafting each intricate letter with precision and spending up to 300 hours on one font. Examples of his work can be seen on billboards, record sleeves, newspapers and in digital media.

Churchward's typefaces are now digitally distributed and rub shoulders with the world's favourites. A biography of his extraordinary life and work is due for release later in 2008.

Letter Man: Joseph Churchward's world of type
21 August - February 2009
Ilott Room, Level 4
Te Papa
Wellington
Free entry