Events & Classes > Collins Gallery > Philip Smith: Extraordinary Bindings From an Englishman

Philip Smith: Extraordinary Bindings From an Englishman

Location, time

• Collins Gallery
• 3rd Floor, Central Library
• 801 S.W. 10th Avenue
• Portland, OR

• May 19–July 11, 2007
• Monday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday: noon–5 p.m.

About the exhibit

Philip Smith is one of today's most unusual and extraordinary bookbinders. Born in 1928, he combines unorthodox materials and approaches, sometimes creating sculptural assemblages using multiple copies and volumes of books. His influence is far and wide. He has served as Past President of Designer Bookbinders (UK), written books and articles on bookbinding, and lectured extensively around the world on bookbinding as an art form.

Bookbinding conference organizer David Pankow recently noted that Smith's "refusal to be bound by the traditional strictures of the bookbinder's role in book making almost single-handedly revolutionized the craft. [There is not] a single designer bookbinder today, or book artist, who hasn't been influenced by Philip's brilliant, beautiful and often provocative work ... ."

The exhibition contains materials from public and private collections in the U.S. and Canada, as well as from the artist's own collection in England.

For more information, contact John Wilson Special Collections Librarian Jim Carmin at 503.988.6287.

 

Related events

Opening Reception

• Saturday, May 19, 2–3 p.m.

Please join us for a lecture by Philip Smith and opening remarks by exhibition curator Jim Carmin. Light refreshments will be served.

Lecture

• Saturday, May 19, 3:30–5 p.m.

Artist Philip Smith presents an illustrated lecture in the U.S. Bank Room.