Artist Reception
Historical Paper Marbling
Friday, September 11
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Peterborough Town Library
1833 RoomMarbled Paper Designs by Nik Beauchemin.
Join us for the Reception of Historical Paper Marbling on Friday, September 11 from 5:00 - 6:30PM. Artist remarks will begin at 5:45PM.
Historical Paper Marbling, a collection of marbled paper created by local bookbinder and PTL's own Circulation Manager, Nik Beauchemin, will be on view from Wednesday, August 5 through Wednesday, September 30.
This exhibition explores historical marbled paper designs, common patterns often seen in 18th and 19th century books, as well as contemporary marbling practices and techniques throughout the ages.
Nik Beauchemin discovered paper marbling during their tenure at North Bennet Street School and has been making paper for the last 12 years. Only recently have they gotten into historical replications, as hand marbled papers have become difficult to find in the United States. Typically, bookbinders would outsource design elements like paper marbling or edge gilding to other tradespeople, but in the modern era, many bookbinders have taken on these tasks themselves.
Every piece of marbled paper is completely unique, and the satisfaction of knowing that designs can be repeated, but never truly recreated, is a driving factor in Nik's interest in this art form. Until the paper is in a frame or in a book, you never truly know what it will look like, a process that Nik finds thrilling.
About Marbled Paper:
From traditional Turkish Ebru designs and Historical 18th Century endpapers to eclectic modern acrylics, paper marbling is an art form that has captured the eyes and hearts of humans for almost as long as paper has existed.
A slow, meditative process in which paint is applied in a layer on top of a special bath of carrageenan, the marbled design is then "pulled" by laying a piece of specially treated paper or leather on top and transferring the paint from the surface of the water to the paper.
Marbled designs can be achieved through the use of modern acrylic paints, though to yield the best results and some of the most iconic designs, many modern paper marblers grind their own pigments, just as traditional marblers used to do, to achieve stunning results. These papers were highly sought after and most often used in special editions, religious texts, family histories or other highly important books of the time, and are now still highly prized for restorations, replicas, and simply as art pieces.
About the Artist:
Nik Beauchemin (they/them) attended the North Bennet Street School’s full-time bookbinding program in 2014, though they have been making books their whole life. It began with a lifelong love of books and reading, which led to making paste paper journals in high school (paste paper being another method of paper decorating with both historical and modern applications to bookbinding), and eventually culminated in going back to school for bookbinding and book repair as well as pursuing a job at the Peterborough Town Library.
Nik has taught several bookbinding and repair workshops, to artists and library professionals, and is generally happiest with a fresh journal and a new book to read. You can always find them at the desk at the Peterborough Town Library willing to talk about books and paper with you!
This program is free and open to all. Please note that library parking is not guaranteed. Patrons who are able are encouraged to take advantage of Peterborough’s walkable downtown by parking in the Depot Square or Riverwalk lots.
Peterborough Town Library
Peterborough Town Library, located downtown at the corner of Main and Concord/Rt 202, has a large meeting room, study rooms, classroom, and a board room available to the public.