The exhibit, focused on a variety of art related to books, aims to hit as many buttons as possible in its investigation of text, image and form. This year’s exhibits features work from conceptual artists like Lisa Kokin, Buzz Spector and Doug Beube to masters of form like Andrew Hayes, Barbara Wildenboer and Daniel Essig.
“Each exhibition is an homage to the book as a physical manifestation of human history and thought,” gallery owners Suzanne Gray and Donna Seager said in unveiling the exhibit, which includes an artist reception on Saturday, May 4 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
“Great art often inspires multiple associations,” says curator Donna Seager. “The associations we have with books, both for their content and form, make them a rich resource for artistic expression. Add to that the beauty of materials, the paper, bindings, threads, inks and illustrations. In the hands of an artist, they provide an exciting opportunity for creative exploration.”
Among the roster this year is Julie Chen, whose work Wayfinding examines the relationship between physical and mental learning through the context of navigation through time and space. Other artists veer away from text and approach the book as form, such as Daniel Essig, who blends imagination with a deep respect for ancient traditions.
Artists Emily Payne and Joseph DeCamillis use the covers of books as material. DeCamillis’ Bound to Happen – Autobiographical Straightjacket is hand-stitched from cloth, vinyl, and leather hardback book covers along with various parts of deconstructed clothing. The books are chosen either for the formative impact reading it had on him at some point in his life or because the title hints to relevant clues about his history. Emily Payne’s constructions are color studies with drawing on book covers. Here’s a look at the work in the exhibit.
The 411: Seager Gray Gallery‘s annual The Art of the Book exhibit runs May 1-June 2. 108 Throckmorton Ave. MORE INFO.