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January Issue 2004
Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, Offers Third Exhibition of Works by Women Book Artists
JoAnn Brody
More than 40 works by
17 women book artists from throughout the country will be on display
in Milliken Art Gallery at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC,
during the nationally juried Third Biennial Women Book Artists
Exhibition. The exhibit will run Jan. 13 through Feb. 13,
2004.
"This will be one of the finest artists' book shows in the
Southeast," said Teresa Prater, guest curator and jurist
for the exhibit. Prater is also chair of the Converse Art and
Design Department, associate professor of studio art and a book
artist in her own right. "A selection of both unique one-of-a-kind
books and limited edition works are combined in the exhibit to
introduce the viewer to the increasingly popular contemporary
world of the book as an art form."
Like any art form, book art has an aesthetic quality and can take many forms. In addition to the traditional codex binding, other formats found in the exhibition include accordion, concertina, pop-ups, flag and tunnel books.
Participating artists are Mary Beth Boone (Greensboro, NC), Jo Ann Brody (New York City), Kristy Deetz (Green Bay, WI), Rebecca Goodale (Portland, ME), Cynthia Lollis (Penland, NC), Karen Hanmer (Glenister, IL), Kristy Higby (Mercersburg, PA), Susan Hogue (Columbia, SC), Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord (Newburgport, MA), Mary Ellen Long (Durango, CO), Marie Marcano (Surfside, FL), Nicole Margaretten (Boston, MA), Stephanie Nace (Columbia, SC), Carol Parker (Paris, MO), Genie Shank (Solana Beach, CA), Alice Simpson (New York City), and Danielle Smith-Llera (Norfolk, VA).
Unlike handmade books, which are often found in gift shops, the artist book is distinguished by the content found within its pages as the artist brings her own personal stories, concerns and artistic insights to the work. Issues concerning the Iraqi war, motherhood, spiritual questions and the environment are found scattered throughout the exhibition.
"One of the exciting features of artists' books is the use of nontraditional materials, many examples of which can be found in this show," said Prater. "Jo-Ann Brody's books use clay as the page structure with carved Hebrew text and figures to convey her response to mothers' life. Kristy Deetz's encaustic wood relief books are mounted on the walls and provide the viewer with patterns that reflect nature and the struggle of both spiritual and physical forces.
For more info check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the gallery at 864/596-9181 or e-mail at (art.design@converse.edu).
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