The Art of the Library

THE ART OF THE LIBRARY

Detail from “Happy World” by Ik-Joong Kang, first floor lobby

A R T I N S TA L L AT I O N S A N D E X H I B I T I O N S AT PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY

T

he library has more than a dozen pieces of art on permanent display, as well as its own gallery on the second floor.

EXTERIOR Robert Barry of Teaneck, N.J., a highly regarded

conceptual artist, has created a project of thought-provoking words etched into a bluestone corner of the building.

FIRST FLOOR Buzz Spector of Ithaca, N.Y., a highly respected book

Untitled by Robert Barry

“Unfolding” by Margaret K. Johnson

and illustration artist from Cornell University, created a unique donor book providing an artistic acknowledgment for the 950 contributors to the library’s capital campaign. Lobby.

Ik-Joong Kang of New York, N.Y., created “Happy

World,” a mixed media wall installation for the lobby featuring 3,700 paintings and carvings by the artist interspersed with artifacts and words contributed by the community.

Susan Hockaday of Princeton, N.J., created a

wooden cut-out bas relief sculpture titled “River Shadows” above the fireplace.

Margaret K. Johnson of Princeton, N.J., was

commissioned to create “Unfolding,” a layered textile wall sculpture of minimalist elegance for the Quiet Room. Also on the first floor is her print, “Of Music on a Summer Night.”

“Donor Book”

by Buzz Spector

SECOND FLOOR Armando Sosa,

a Guatemalan-born weaver who lives in central New Jersey, created “Memoranzas Festivas,” the large weaving that is a focal point of the second floor.

Lore Kadden Lindenfeld of Princeton, N.J., a fiber

artist and texture artist who studied at Black Mountain College, is represented at the Conference Room entrance with “Curves and Waves.”

“Memoranzas Festivas” by Armando Sosa

“Curves and Waves” by Lore Kadden Lindenfeld

“River Shadows” by Susan Hockaday

Much of the public art was commissioned for the opening of the new library building in 2004.

All art in the library is funded by donations.

Katherine Hackl of Lambertville, N.J., created 13

ceramic art panels of varying sizes depicting aspects of local history for the Princeton Room.

Antonio Salemme

(1893-1995), a renowned sculptor and painter, created a bust of his friend, Princeton native Paul Robeson. It can be viewed in the Princeton Room.

“Mercer Oak” by Katherine Hackl

Carol Schepps of West Windsor, N.J., created

Paul Robeson

by Antonio Salemme

“Incandescence,” a handmade abstract quilt that is on display above the fireplace.

THIRD FLOOR Tom Nussbaum of Montclair, N.J., who makes

figurative sculptures that are as thought-provoking as they are whimsical, created four pieces for the children’s area.

“Louis the Trumpeter Swan”

by Mary Taylor

Faith Ringgold of Englewood, N.J., a renowned artist and writer, is featured on the third floor with a mosaic mural from her award-winning book “Tar Beach.”

Mary Taylor

of Rochester, N.Y., created “Louis the Trumpeter Swan,” a 7-foot sculpture inspired from the book “Trumpet of the Swans” for the picture book area.

Dorothea Greenbaum (1893-1986), an original

member of the Sculptors Guild and a founder of Artists Equity, created “Girl with Bird,” a bronze beloved by generations of Princeton children, that is outside the Story Room.

REFERENCE GALLERY

“Tar Beach” by Faith Ringgold

The library collaborates with the Arts Council of Princeton to present works by area artists in the second floor Reference Gallery. Exhibits change quarterly and feature works by wellknown and emerging artists.

“Incandescence” by Carol Schepps

Detail from “Readers Totem” by Tom Nussbaum

“Girl With Bird” by Dorothea Greenbaum

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