Image credit: Leo Bensemann, design for the cover of the Group Show Catalogue, 1957
A key figure in Christchurch’s cultural life from the 1930s to the 1980s, Leo Bensemann was an exceptional graphic artist, designer and a demon with the letterpress printing technology associated with his era.
Throughout the mid-20th century Bensemann, Denis Glover 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 Leo’s original drawings, wood engravings, book designs and letterpress printing.
Leo Bensemann: illustrator, designer and printer highlights and acknowledges the Bensemann Family’s recent gifts of Leo’s work to the Macmillan Brown Library, University of Canterbury and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Library.
Peter Vangioni is a curator at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and a letterpress printer running his own studio, The Kowhai Press.
He has long been interested in Leo Bensemann’s work as a painter but more importantly as a graphic artist, book designer and letterpress printer.
In 2013 Peter curated A Caxton Miscellany: The Caxton press 1933 – 1958 for Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and Christchurch City Libraries.
Leo Bensemann: Illustrator, designer and printer
Curated by Peter Vangioni
ILAM CAMPUS GALLERY, BLOCK 2, SOFA, 2 OCTOBER – 23 OCTOBER 2020
EXHIBITION OPENING 5PM THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER
CURATOR FLOOR TALK 12.30PM FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER
