Kentucky Book Artist Talks Fine Press Printing, Feminist Art Movement
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2017) — The University of Kentucky's King Library Press will present its spring lecture and workshop on fine press printing with artist, writer and UK alumna Susan E. King. Her free public lecture "Lessons from Kentucky: A printer's progress that chronicles the printed books and ephemera of a native daughter" and corresponding workshop will be held Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, respectively.
King, a Kentucky native, studied ceramics and graduated with a bachelor's degree in art from UK and earned her graduate degree from New Mexico State University. King joined fellow graduate student and artist Christina Kruse to teach one of the first women and art courses in the U.S. in 1973 as part of their graduate studies. After completing her graduate work in ceramics in New Mexico, she moved to Los Angeles to join the experimental Feminist Studio Workshop started by Judy Chicago, Sheila de Bretteville and Arlene Raven. She became the studio director of the Women’s Graphics Center at the Woman’s Building.
As a book artist, King founded Paradise Press where she makes books using lead type and letterpress equipment. Her books are known for their original writing, innovative formats, and attention to craft.
The "Lessons from Kentucky" lecture chronicles King's unexpected journey through the flourishing feminist art movement of the 1970s, the art world of Los Angeles and tthe fine press world of San Francisco. Throughout her journey back to Kentucky, King made books, posters and postcards, which she will discuss during her lecture 7 p.m. Friday, March 3, in the Margaret I. King Library Building's Great Hall (located on the second floor). A reception will precede the lecture at 6:15 p.m. and an exhibition of the artist's work will be on display. The reception, exhibition and lecture are all free and open to the public.
King's workshop the following day will demonstrate various techniques for making copies of a book and explore how to make the most of resources, avoiding false economies and streamlining production techniques. As a group, individuals attending the workshop will make an edition of an accordion book using the "Exquisite Corpse," a parlor game tweaked by Surrealists, to make images. The workshop will begin 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4, in the King Library's basement. The workshop is $40 per person with limited spots. There will be a continental breakfast provided beforehand and lunch at noon. Call 859-608-9623 to reserve a space or to learn more about the workshop.
The annual Spring Book Arts Weekend is historically presented by the King Library Press. The press is devoted to the tradition of fine printing and produces books and broadsides.
King Library Press is part of the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at UK Libraries. SCRC is also home to UK Libraries' collection of rare books, Kentuckiana, the Archives, the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center, the Bert T. Combs Appalachian Collection and ExploreUK. The mission of the center is to locate and preserve materials documenting the social, cultural, economic and political history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.