New exhibition breathes life into unwanted books

Over 40 selected artists were sent a discarded book – donated to the project by Birmingham Library - to be re-made as a work of art with the completed collection forming ‘The Library of Lost Books’.

Jessica Glaser, senior lecturer in Graphic Communication at the University, is designing and co-writing a book about the project with Library of Lost Books founder and curator, Susan Kruse. 

The collection will be exhibited at the University’s Bessant Gallery between the 25 April – 23 May before going on to be exhibited in Birmingham Library during November 2013.

Speaking about the project, Jessica Glaser said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be involved with the ‘Library of Lost Books’ initiative. So far we have over 50 artworks in the collection, with many more to come, and everyone connected with the Library can’t wait to show them off to the Art and Design students at the University as well as the general public.”

Susan Kruse, founder and curator of the Library of Lost Books, said: "I want more people to discover the artform that is the altered book and to show the work of some very innovative and inspiring UK based artists. It has been wonderful to take these damaged, discarded old books and have them transformed into objects of beauty and wonder."

The project has largely been supported by crowd funding and good will, though Sheaffer Pens have agreed to fund the production costs of Jessica’s book. The public can continue to support the project by taking out membership to the Library.

For more information, visit the project’s blog

ENDS

For more information please contact Patrick Campbell in the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2448.

Date Issued: Thursday, 18 April 2013