Gallery ‘closing the books’ on ‘storied’ exhibition

Published 07.17.2024

Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor

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    Before the story ends on Sunday, July 21, art lovers are encouraged to visit the final days of The Gallery at Penn College's exhibition, “Books Undone 2: The Art of Altered Books."

    Two days remain to view the national juried show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. (The gallery is closed on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer.)

    "Paper, fragile yet strong, is the perfect medium because of its willingness to be manipulated," stated book artist Heather Cook. Her creation, titled "Climbing Out," is among 64 works by 41 artists from 20 states on display in The Gallery at Penn College through Sunday, July 21.

    “This exhibition has been rewarding in many ways: Connecting with new artists working in the book medium, reconnecting with past artists (from the 2018 ‘Books Undone’ exhibition), presenting thought-provoking work and engaging with gallery visitors,” reported Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery director. “If the success of a show is based on the response from visitors, this exhibition has earned an award. We have had so much positive feedback.”

    Hundreds of visitors have viewed the "novel" showcase, which opened in late May.

    The Gallery at Penn College is located on the third floor of The Madigan Library at Pennsylvania College of Technology. For more information, visit the gallery site.
     

    The college gallery's second exhibition of altered books has drawn hundreds to the third floor of The Madigan Library.
    In the foreground, June Tekaza's "Keeping it Together" weaves words into a container-type sculpture. (Her work, "Bottoms Up," is on the pedestal in the background.) "Black and Blue," taken from the novel by the same name, hangs on the back wall; the Maggie Kerrigan work is an ode to survivors of domestic abuse.
    An epic tale tale from ancient Ireland is reimagined in Emily Eldred's piece, "The Tain." It's sculpted-out middle symbolizes cultural omissions, as the book's ashes fall through the hole like sand through an hourglass.
    With pages sealed with cement, Toby Lee Greenberg's "Biography: Unwritten" pays homage to innocent individuals on death row.
    "The Pink Slip" incorporates sentences and words from plot lines revealing the prevalence of organized practices that marginalize women. The work is by Cynthia Ahlstrin.
    "237 Ripples: ribbon (falls)" cascades gracefully down a gallery wall. The book sculpture is by Chris Perry.
    "Fragile Planet," by Janet Reynolds (on the pedestal), and Laura J. Stein's "Blue Field no. 2" (hanging on the wall) grace the gallery.
    A book assemblage by Frank Turek is titled "Runaway Horse."
    This is a close-up image of one of eight textured panels of law books employed by Margaret Whiting in her work, "Commentaries on American Law: Coal Energy."
    A digital entry explores the inner lives on introverts. "Everted Sanctuaries VI" showcases the animation artistry of Ryan Lewis.
    Marcia Vogler's "Crown of Expectations" regenerates book pages into a sculptural form.
    A detail of Cynthia Ahlstrin's "Baby Dolls (No Matter When You Sleep, You're Protected)" features repurposed bubble wrap, book pages and other accessories.
    Collaged vintage coloring books are reinterpreted in Craig Hill's "Report from the Surface" series.
    A unique book scroll by Deborah Phillips Chodoff plays with the word "draw" and is titled "To Draw."
    Coal spills between books in Michael Hower's "On the Road," a work also combining digital photographs, books, concrete and paint.
    On the right, four cubes display damaged parts from banned books transformed by Irwin Freeman into speculative archaeology artifacts. In the background on the left are archival ink prints by Shawn Michelle Smith that confront the violent nature of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

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