A new exhibition at the Ilam Campus Gallery features books, artworks, and archives from the MB collection. Leo Bensemann: Illustrator, designer and printer has been curated by Peter Vangioni from the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū .

The artist Leo Bensemann was a key figure in Christchurch’s cultural life from the 1930s to the 1980s. Throughout the mid-20th century he and others working at the Caxton Press were instrumental in introducing modern typographical design and typefaces to New Zealand’s printed culture.  The exhibition includes a wide selection of original drawings, wood engravings, book designs and letterpress printing, and highlights and acknowledges the Bensemann Family’s  gifts of Leo’s work and personal papers to the Macmillan Brown Library and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Library.

All are welcome to attend the exhibition opening on Thursday 1 October at 5pm.  Peter is giving a talk in the gallery on Friday 2 October at 12.30

You can see some images from the exhibition on UC Puna’s Instagram page 🙂