The Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery is pleased to present a group exhibition of handmade artist books and printed works, titled “The Space Between,” which converges around the idea of the space between things both in a literal and a metaphorical sense.

“These works allude to that elusive space between things and how we navigate both distance and impact,” said exhibit curator Eileen Wallace, current lecturer of printmaking and book arts at the University of Georgia.

On Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., Wallace will set the stage with an opening presentation in the Haggerty Gallery. An opening reception will follow from 6-8 p.m in the gallery, and the exhibition will remain open for viewing through Sunday, Sept. 23.

In a time when bookstores are closing shop and more individuals are turning to digital readers, the art of bookmaking is conversely thriving in contemporary art. Contemporary artist books are a dynamic and interactive artform that involves printing, papermaking, typography and graphic design — and Wallace has selected a talented array of bookmakers, whose craftsmanship and artistic expression are powerful and engaging examples in the field.

Exhibit subjects range from investigations of the physical and emotional space between people, places and things, to transitory moments when one thing shifts and becomes another. Each artists employs a design approach to investigate the empty space on a page, highlighting space and shapes between letters and form.

“This exhibition serves as a reminder of the power of books as a communicative object of expression,” said Haggerty Gallery Manager and Curator Christina Hayes Haley.

“Even at universities where reading books is the center of student life, it is easy to take books for granted,” continued Haley. “We have highlighted these artist books with ample space and now invite visitors to come spend time with them in observation.”

Eileen Wallace teaches letterpress printing, papermaking and bookbinding at the University of Georgia. She serves as co-director emeritus of the Paper & Book Intensive (PBI) and was recently a board member of Hand Papermaking Magazine. She holds an M.F.A. in Book Arts as well as an M.L.S., both from the University of Alabama, and also curated “Masters: Book Arts,” a book featuring more than 40 artists considered to be masters of the craft. For this exhibition, Wallace selected a number of renowned artists, including Inge Bruggeman, Ellen Knudson, Karen Kunc, Alex McClay, Katherine Miller, Leslie Noell, Lisa Beth Robinson and David Wolske.

Discover more about the Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery.