Judging a Book Cover

Designer book binding by Robert Rowe, on exhibit in Chicago through April 15 as part of "One Book, Many Interpretations"

A challenge to design a unique binding for Toni Morrison's book "A Mercy," resulted in this work as part of an international juried show "One Book, Many Interpretations" currently on exhibit in Chicago. Created by Professor Robert Rowe, who teaches graphic design and book arts, the binding consists of stained poplar and maple wood covers with wrought iron and gold leaf and is sewn using two-needle coptic stitching onto a goat skin leather-covered spine. Professor Rowe studies and practices historic and contemporary book binding techniques while developing the book arts and letterpress curriculum in the Department of Art. The exhibit runs through April 15, 2012 at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago.