Events

Three decades of Book Arts by Ladislav Hanka

This month the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center features printmaker and book artist Ladislav Hanka. About his work he says:

“People here know me for my etchings, but I have a secret second life as a book artist that takes my works around the world and into many libraries.  Much of my work explores environmental themes in series and I find that the book is a beautiful way to preserve these works alongside my thoughts and what went into their creation, with modest amounts of text set in letterpress on exquisite papers in a fine binding.  It’s an obscure art-form not particularly conducive to hanging on the wall, and yet who among us doesn’t love a book of old botanical engravings or getting a glimpse of Leonardo’s notebooks.  My own model is Linnaeus and his Lapland notebooks from the late 18th century.  Here you will see a selection from thirty years of activity in the book arts in collaboration with various book binders.”