Roni Gross
Peter Schell
New York, NY
www.ronigross.com
www.peterschell7.com

2023
Artist book: 14″l x 2″w x 9″h
Letterpress printed, with linoleum cuts, edition of 23 copies

Artist Statement

I Know How To Be Helpful, a letterpress printed, limited edition by Z’roah Press, is a collision of 3 different visual elements: pen and ink drawing, linocut and the mass of woodtype. Metaphorically and structurally it presents the loss of innocence of a young girl. The idyllic landscape disappears, and the gritty black and white drawing composes itself as the pages turn. The action of the book mirrors the tension of the protagonist, and we hold our breath to find out if she escapes.  The book is bound in a drum leaf structure, with pages that get gradually shorter. The body of the reader must adjust, as the path of the protagonist changes direction and picks up speed. The poem, by the same name, is by Lisa Wujnovich. 

The linocut, from before such a thing was ever imagined, is the work of Roni Gross. The drawing, from when it was happening too quickly, is the work of Peter Schell. Words and thoughts were set in Mrs. Eaves and Futura and printed from polymer plates on Rosapina Paper. Endsheet and title page are printed from wood type, with Baskerville titling. Biruta Auna bound the book, which is covered in Canapetta and Cialux cloth,nd hot stamped.