From January to April, the University of Exeter’s new Queen’s Building display space is showcasing a selection of reproductions of stunning artworks by American-born sculptor and graphic artist Leonard Baskin, which form part of the University’s heritage collections.

Leonard Baskin (1922 – 2000) is renowned for his expressive artworks as well as founding Gehenna Press, one of the earliest limited edition fine arts presses in the United States.

A partnership between the University of Exeter’s Special Collections and Arts and Culture teams, this new display touches on the long-lasting collaborative friendships that Baskin developed with poet Ted Hughes and documentary filmmaker Noel Chanan whilst living in Devon in the 1970s.

Reproduction of works displayed include a rich mix of captivating prints and artist’s proofs including works that were used to illustrate some of Hughes’s poetry, all of which are held in the University’s Special Collections. Alongside this you can also view reproductions of a small number of prints by Baskin which he gave to Noel Chanan and his wife June over a period of 30 years and which Chanan has recently donated to the University.

In bringing these collections together, the works displayed celebrate the breadth of Baskin’s print techniques and the themes of his art, as well as providing a fascinating insight into some of his long-standing collaborative relationships.

__The new display is available to view from Monday 10 January – Friday 1 April in the Arts and Culture display space situated in the West Wing foyer of the Queen’s Building on the University’s Streatham campus. __

The collections are also open for research to members of the public on application to University of Exeter’s Special Collections. For more information, please contact Special Collections directly on libspc@exeter.ac.uk.

The University of Exeter is grateful to Lisa Unger Baskin, Carol Hughes and Noel Chanan for their support on this display.