Street Alchemy: Found Art and the Book Artist

Peter Madden

Time: 7:00 PM
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2007
Place: DeLamar Jensen Lecture Room, 1130 HBLL

About the Event

Peter Madden’s unique handmade books are collected by and exhibited in major museums throughout the world. His work and technique have been featured in publications about artists’ books and alternative photography, including the Penland Book of Handmade Books. He has received numerous fellowships, grants, and awards for his work in bookmaking. Peter is on the faculty of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Massachusetts and teaches and lectures across the country.

Peter leads workshops throughout the United States and around Europe. One of the many things he teaches is how to construct wooden tryptychs, which are based on elaborate multi-paneled, religious icons of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Theatrical yet intimate, these structures are simultaneously books, sculptures and shrines. He also teaches simple metal-working techniques such as preparing metal for book covers, details and embellishments. He shows several methods for hinging covers, including constructing handmade hinges from scrap metal.

Peter’s work has been hosted by many institutions, including Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Harvard’s Houghton Library, and the Center for Book Arts in New York City.

“An alchemist of the street, Madden has turned lead into gold…” –Susan King

Please visit his website below.

Links and Materials

Photo Gallery