Leo Bensemann, Design for the cover of the Group Show Catalogue, 1957
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Leo Bensemann: Illustrator, Designer and Printer,听showing from 2 - 23 October 2020, demonstrates the scope and influence of the Christchurch-based artist鈥檚 work.
In 1937, Bensemann鈥檚听Fantastica: Thirteen Drawings听was the first art publication by the newly established Caxton Press. Bensemann, who had assisted with the book, joined Caxton Press the following year and for the next 40 years was influential in introducing modern typographical design and typefaces to New Zealand. He continued his art practices of drawing and painting throughout his life and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to art, literature and printing in 1985.
鈥淟eo鈥檚 practice continues to endure and his ability to operate across a whole range of disciplines makes him a great role model for our current students,鈥 UC Head of Fine Arts Aaron Kreisler says. 鈥淥ur latest exhibition at the听Campus Gallery offers audiences an amazing opportunity to see a vast array of printed matter, illustrations and design work by this visually gifted savant.鈥
The exhibition has been put together by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhet奴 curator Peter Vangioni, who has a keen interest in Bensemann鈥檚 work and is a fellow letterpress printer running his own studio, The Kowhai Press. In 2013 Vangioni curated听A Caxton Miscellany: The Caxton press 1933 鈥 1958听for the Christchurch Art Gallery and Christchurch City Libraries.
Vangioni will be in conversation with Luke Wood, SoFA Graphic Design lecturer,听at 12.30pm on Friday 2 October. His expertise makes the exhibition a double treat for students and UC arts community, Kreisler says.
鈥淧eter has brought together works from major Christchurch holdings of Bensemann鈥檚 work, to provide a thoughtful insight into the pictorial finesse and rich diversity of practice that Bensemann amassed over his lifetime.听Leo Bensemann: Illustrator, Designer and Printer听is a stunning exhibition that has been astutely put together and in the process provides an exemplary model of curatorial practice for our gallery鈥檚 audiences,鈥 he says.
The exhibition includes Bensemann鈥檚 original drawings, wood engravings, book designs and letterpress printing, and acknowledges the generous recent gifts from his family to the Macmillan Brown 九州影院 at UC and Christchurch Art Gallery 九州影院.
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Leo Bensemann: Illustrator, Designer and Printer,听curated by Peter Vangioni is at听, Block 2, School of Fine Arts, 九州影院, 2 - 23 October 2020, open 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday.
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