Press Release

Carpe Diem Press, Oaxaca:
James Brown, Dan McCleary, George Moore, Kiki Smith and Rob Wynne

An exhibition of the publications of Carpe Diem Press, Oaxaca, Mexico, with additional works by the artists of the press

June 1 through July 10, 2004
Opening Tuesday, June 1, 6 - 8 pm

Texas Gallery
2012 Peden Street
Houston, TX 77019

On June 1, the Texas Gallery will open an exhibition of artist’s books, prints and multiples published by Carpe Diem Press located in Oaxaca, Mexico. After moving to Mexico in 1995, the artist James Brown and his wife Alexandra began to work with local printers and artisans to produce limited edition books and prints, subsequently founding Carpe Diem Press in 2000. In addition to publishing James Brown’s own works, other artists and writers have been invited to work at the press in Mexico, including George Moore, an American artist now living in Oaxaca, Dan McCleary from Los Angeles, and Kiki Smith and Rob Wynne, both from New York.

Printed in limited editions of no more than 40 copies, the artist’s books and prints produced at Carpe Diem reflect the traditional craftsmanship of the artisans of Oaxaca in their use of old metal and wood typefaces as well as hand made bindings. In contrast, however, the content and form of the books is non-traditional, as seen in the folding book made by Kiki Smith and the book by Rob Wynne in which all of the covers in the edition are unique. The texts of the books are also highly varied and span centuries, ranging from the writings of the 16th c. mystic poet Sor Juana de La Cruz to brand new works such as an excerpt from a novel by Francisco Goldman and Haiku poems by Susanna Moore. Each book and print published by the press is a work of art in itself and more than fulfills James Brown’s definition of an artist’s book as “ a work by an artist that is as significant as any other artwork made by that artist”.

Included in the exhibition will be all of the artists’ books produced by the press as well as prints and multiples made by James Brown at the press and a recently published set of etchings of portraits by Dan McCleary. In addition to the editioned works made at Carpe Diem Press the exhibition will also include unique works by all of the artists; including paintings by Dan McCleary, drawings by Rob Wynne, new relief prints by George Moore and drawings and a bronze sculpture by Kiki Smith.

The exhibition will remain on view through July 10th. For more information contact Nancy Douthey or Fredericka Hunter at Texas Gallery.


Texas Gallery
2012 Peden
Houston, TX 77019
713.524.1593 (tel)
713.524.0534 (fax)
www.texgal.com
info@texgal.com