Bookplates–those printed pieces of paper pasted on the inside covers of books to mark their ownership–have long been used as a distinctive way for readers to mark a text as their own. Such inscriptions, also known as ex libris, were common in Europe in past centuries, and commonly included the owner’s name, a heraldic crest and perhaps a motto.
It’s unclear whether Apple Computer pioneer Steve Jobs would want to adopt the bookplate designed for him by Chicago artist Robert Lostutter, which shows an apple that’s been chomped.
This image and bookplates by 71 other artists make up the show “The Art of the Bookplate: A Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Exhibition” currently at Printworks Gallery in the River North neighborhood.
Gallery co-director Bob Heibert wasn’t looking to become a bookplate collector when he first conceived of the commemorative show; he said he was simply trying to come up with a format that would allow him to invite a large group of gallery artists and friends to participate. “I always liked the crossover between literature and art and I thought it would be interesting to see what choices they would make.”
The invitation was to create a bookplate, measuring no more than 8-by-10 inches, honoring “someone either living or dead, famous or infamous.” The idea was that each artist would take elements of the subject’s life but work in their own style. Contributions include etchings, ink drawings, paintings, cut paper or photographic works, and the range of people the artists selected as focuses also runs the gamut, from Cervantes, Charles Darwin and Herman Melville to Julia Child and Helen Keller.
Through Feb. 4 at 311 W. Superior St. Free; call 312-664-9407.
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