Three Library Exhibits Feature Artwork from the University Galleries

Cheng Library collaborates with the University Galleries to organize three exhibits.

One portion of the Library display with items from the University’s Tobias Collection.

The Cheng Library has an active and creative group of staff members who volunteer to participate in developing exhibits for the display cases located throughout the Library.  Usually these exhibits are organized around a theme or holiday and feature noteworthy books from the Library’s collection.

Recently, the Library collaborated with the University Galleries to present three exhibits.  All of these exhibits included items from the collections of the University supplemented with relevant books from the Library.  The Library staff  scheduled and designed the displays in association with Kristen Evangelista, Director of the University Galleries.

An exhibit of Artists’ Books featured several individually created books that are also works of art.  These items are in the University’s collection but are rarely displayed.  The exhibit also included library books related to the history of books, bookmaking and typography.

A second exhibit featured items from the University’s Tobias Collection. This large collection of African art was donated to the University by Joan and Gordon Tobias.  The exhibit in the lobby case of the Cheng Library showcased a diverse and expressive selection of items from this collection.  The items were chosen by  Meghan DeMora, graduate assistant. 

The artwork displayed included a reliquary guardian figure designed by the Kota People of Gabon, covered baskets, wedding baskets, spirit figures, carved masks, decorated gourds and other household implements.  These items were noteworthy for their ethnographic significance as well as their artistic value.

A third collaboration took place during the fall 2017 semester and coincided with the University’s “Food for Thought” series.  This display featured food-related artist books from the University as well as books from the Library about food preparation, recipes, cultures, foraging, and the farm-to-table movement. This display in the Cheng Library was coordinated with an exhibit in the University Galleries titled “Breaking Bread: Artists Explore Food Practices.”

The staff of the Cheng Library welcomes opportunities to work with other University departments in developing library displays.  Please contact the co-chairs of the Library Exhibits Committee, Leah Marie Zamora and Patricia Moore.

February 11, 2018