Veronika Schäpers delivers the annual McGrath Lecture in Contemporary Book Arts:

Wednesday, October 31 at 4:30 p.m., Alumnae House Conference Hall
Reception to follow, with plenty of time for Halloween activities thereafter

...AND BONUS! Explore Veronika’s work in the Mortimer Rare Book Collection with Veronika...

3-4 p.m. (before the lecture), Special Collections Classroom (Young Library 201)

Veronika Schäpers is a German book artist who lived in Japan for 15 years. The Japanese culture and aesthetics have fascinated and influenced her ever since, leaving marks in almost all of her projects. In her talk she will explain her conceptual way of making artist books and also show a selection of her books that are part of Smith’s Mortimer Rare Book Collection.

Veronika’s creative use of materials is what first attracts to her work. Plastic, acrylic, latex, felt, wood, oil, and vintage tissue are unusual substrates in modern bookmaking.

Veronika’s exquisite craftsmanship is also matched with subtle humor in most of her books. Using current events as a springboard for inspiration, she works collaboratively or alone on projects that resonate long after the first viewing. Commenting on the ways and means in which we struggle with various realities, she never omits the joke. Whether she’s producing a book about pension fraud, giant squids, or questioning the university entrance exams, her conception and design prove that books still have the ability to create tension and build narrative.

The annual McGrath Lecture in Contemporary Book Arts ia a series which honors master printer Harold P. McGrath (1921-2000). McGrath printed for Leonard Baskin (Gehenna Press), Barry Moser (Pennyroyal Press), and Alan Robinson (Press of the Sea Turtle). McGrath shared his skills and his friendship with the next generation of book arts practitioners in the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

Contact

Mary Irwin, mirwin@smith.edu
Friends of the Smith College Libraries