January 19 – February 18, 2023
An exhibition of work by artists Kate Cheney Chappell and Annie Lee-Zimerle spanning book arts and other primarily 2D mixed-media.
![Keys to a Home No More by Kate Cheney Chappell. Accordion Book: monotype, copper leaf, collage; found material (life raft nylon); supplemental pamphlet-stitch books (handmade paper, monotype, found material, and waxed linen thread).](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/01/KateFullWidth-1140x407.jpg)
The ephemeral nature of drawings, prints, and printed books, objects critical to the dissemination of knowledge, are directly tied to central themes of this exhibition, those of identity and loss. The colorful and engaging artworks by Kate Cheney Chappell and Annie Lee-Zimerle featured in Hidden Stories speak to resilience when faced with impermanence and hardship. A text attributed to eighth-century Chinese calligrapher Li Yang-ping refers to “generative paper,” an early source that indicates the full range of pictorial capabilities made possible by the support.[1] Employing paper in concert with paint, crayon, and found materials, Cheney Chappell and Lee-Zimerle convey ephemerality through form and medium.
In Cheney Chappell’s accordion book, Keys to a Home No More, consisting of monotype, copper leaf, collage, and found material with waxed linen thread, the artist refers to a poem written by Aphrodite Vati Mariola, who aided refugees of war fleeing to Europe across the Aegean Sea in 2015. A family, leaving their keys behind, remarked that they no longer needed them. Drawn from the unique profile of house keys contributed by members of the Peregrine Press, the book’s materials and format evoke a sense of tumult through impressions of that which is no longer there. Viewers can both directly perceive the emotion of the dark seascape and see through the silhouette of the keys themselves. The scraps of life rafts on which refugees crossed the Aegean enclose the book, furthering the interplay of tangibility and loss.
In her pop-up book with watercolor and crayon on paper depicting the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon), the national flower of South Korea, Annie Lee-Zimerle further challenges our consideration of prints and book pages as two-dimensional and often monochromatic. The Mugunghwa springs from the fuchsia drawn profiles on the page, emphasizing the plant’s ability to regenerate itself in harsh conditions, even when damaged. The imagery speaks directly to the resilience of Asian women in the face of hate crimes experienced since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Through color, line, and the interaction of positive and negative space, Cheney Chappell and Lee-Zimerle engage with the concepts of resilience and persistence through the malleable material of paper. When open, the books reveal the challenges of the human experience. When closed, the images depicted on the material are protected, reinforced by board, cloth, and thread, prompting us to consider that which we keep within. To reveal the contents, the books must be opened, a transition must be made, altering the viewer’s experience. The journey of the page parallels our own.
Establishing the Kate Cheney Chappell ’83 Center for Book Arts at the University of Southern Maine in 2008, Cheney Chappell has been an artist since childhood. Her education includes the Sarah Lawrence College program at the Sorbonne in Paris, the University of Southern Maine, and the Haystack School of Crafts on Deer Isle. Her artworks are held in the collections of the New York Public Library, The New Britain Museum of American Art, and the Portland Museum of Art, among others. Annie Lee-Zimerle, currently Assistant Professor & Program Director of the Kate Cheney Chappell Center for Book Arts, has served as artist in residence at Cleveland Institute of Art and at the Studios at MASS MoCA. Her artworks are held throughout national public and private collections including Dayton Metro Library in Dayton, Ohio, and the Harold Washington Public Library in Chicago.
— Alexa McCarthy, PhD
Lecturer, Art History, University of Southern Maine
[1] David Rosand, Drawing Acts Drawings Acts: Studies in Graphic Expression and Representation, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002, republished 2016, p. 2, 343, n. 2.
Watch the artists’ conversation from the exhibition’s opening reception:
Exhibition Gallery
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150430-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3370-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150419-1-350x350.jpg)
![Center: Kate Chenney Chappell, "Ascendent," 2012. Mixed media (collagraph/monoprint with copper leaf), 7 x 14 in. Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3376-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3362-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3356-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3373-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150512-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150402-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150601-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150546-350x350.jpg)
![Kate Chenney Chappell, "Keys to a Home No More," 2018. Artist’s book (accordion: monotype copperleaf collage; found material; life raft nylon;) 45 in. long x 9 in. wide x10 in. high (open) / 10 x 10 in. (closed). Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150542-350x350.jpg)
![Kate Chenney Chappell, "Keys to a Home No More," 2018. Artist’s book (accordion: monotype copperleaf collage; found material; life raft nylon;) 45 in. long x 9 in. wide x10 in. high (open) / 10 x 10 in. (closed). Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150537-350x350.jpg)
![Kate Chenney Chappell, "Keys to a Home No More," 2018. Artist’s book (accordion: monotype copperleaf collage; found material; life raft nylon;) 45 in. long x 9 in. wide x10 in. high (open) / 10 x 10 in. (closed). Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3326-350x350.jpg)
![Kate Chenney Chappell, "Keys to a Home No More," 2018. Artist’s book (accordion: monotype copperleaf collage; found material; life raft nylon;) 45 in. long x 9 in. wide x10 in. high (open) / 10 x 10 in. (closed). Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3324-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kate Chenney Chappell. From left to right: "The Octopus," 2011. Artist’s book (pop up accordion: paper, Charbonnel ink, silk cord, collage) 45 in. long x 9 in. wide x10 in. high (open) / 10 x 10 in. (closed). "Mountain Time I," 2011. mixed media (monotype; collage; pine needles) 17 1⁄2 x 24 1⁄2 in.; frame: 26 x 33 1⁄2 in. "Mountain Time IV," 2011. mixed media (monotype; collage with graphite pencil) 15 x 24 in.; frame: 26 x 33 1⁄2 in. "Mountain Time V," 2011. mixed media (monotype; coith; graphite) 17 x 24 in.; frame: 26 x 33 1⁄2 in. Part of "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150651-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kate Chenney Chappell. "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3377-1-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kate Chenney Chappell. From left to right: "TumbleStar II," 2018. Installation: steel sculpture; acrylic paint stenciling 60 in. diameter (irregular). "TumbleStar I," 2018. Steel sculpture; acrylic paint, stenciling 72 in. diameter (irregular). "TumbleStar III," 2018. installation: steel sculpture; acrylic paint stenciling 60” D (irregular). "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3328-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kate Chenney Chappell. Center front: "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3336-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kate Chenney Chappell. Center front: "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3330-350x350.jpg)
![Front right: Kate Chenney Chappell, "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3366-350x350.jpg)
![Center front: Kate Chenney Chappell, "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3368-350x350.jpg)
![Center front: Kate Chenney Chappell, "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150714-2-350x350.jpg)
![Floor view: Kate Chenney Chappell, "Mother Ocean," 2021. Steel rod, printmaking (collagraph/monoprint) on paper, acrylic copper paint) 11 ft. 4 in. x 17 in. wide, on spiral (double helix). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150724-scaled.jpg)
![Works by Artist Kat Chenney Chappell. From left to right: "Moonbird VII: Sustenance,"
2015. Collagraph/monoprint
19 x 26 1⁄2 in.; frame: 26 1⁄2 x 34 1⁄4 in. "Requiem," 2009. Mixed media (monoprint printmaking; collage; bamboo tines; porcupine quills) 15 x 24 in.; frame: 24 x 35 in. "Fragile Web: Thaw," 2014. Mixed media (monoprint; collage; copper leaf; pine needles; bamboo tine) 18 x 29 in.; frame: 25 x 37 in. "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150730-350x350.jpg)
![Front left: Annie Lee-Zimerle, "View From the Window," 2020. Tunnel book: relief print on paper, ribbon, book board & cloth, 8 1⁄2 x 11 x 1 1⁄2 in. (closed). "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150613-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Annie Lee-Zimerle. "Buchaechum (부채춤: fan dance),"
2022. Accordion fan book installation: gouache on paper, book board, cloth and ribbon; Edition of 7, 29 1⁄4 x 15 x 4 1⁄2 in. (open/each) | 14 x 4 x 1 1⁄4 in. (closed/each). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3350-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Annie Lee-Zimerle. "Buchaechum (부채춤: fan dance),"
2022. Accordion fan book installation: gouache on paper, book board, cloth and ribbon; Edition of 7, 29 1⁄4 x 15 x 4 1⁄2 in. (open/each) | 14 x 4 x 1 1⁄4 in. (closed/each). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3344-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Annie Lee-Zimerle. Front right: "Mugunghwa (무궁화:
Rose of Sharon)," 2022.
Pop-up book: watercolor and crayon on paper, book board and cloth
18 1⁄2 x 28 x 7 3⁄4 in. (open) | 18 1⁄2 x 14 in. (closed). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150639-350x350.jpg)
![Annie Lee-Zimerle. "Mugunghwa (무궁화: Rose of Sharon)," 2022.
Pop-up book: watercolor and crayon on paper, book board and cloth
18 1⁄2 x 28 x 7 3⁄4 in. (open) | 18 1⁄2 x 14 in. (closed). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150645-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Annie Lee-Zimerle. From left to right: "2:00AM (from the Sleep series)," 2019. Oil on linen 42 x 42 in. "Sleepless Nights (from the Sleep series)," 2022. Accordion book: gouache on paper, marble paper, book board and cloth approximately 21 x 15 x 16 1⁄2 in. (open) | 18 x 15 x 1⁄2 in. (closed). "At Mother’s House (from the Sleep series)," 2019. Oil on linen, 42 x 42 in. "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3380-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3352-350x350.jpg)
!["Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150515-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Annie Lee-Zimerle. From left to right: "2:00AM (from the Sleep series)," 2019. Oil on linen 42 x 42 in. "Sleepless Nights (from the Sleep series)," 2022. Accordion book: gouache on paper, marble paper, book board and cloth approximately 21 x 15 x 16 1⁄2 in. (open) | 18 x 15 x 1⁄2 in. (closed). "At Mother’s House (from the Sleep series)," 2019. Oil on linen, 42 x 42 in. "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150529-350x350.jpg)
![Right: Annie Lee-Zimerle, "Untitled (from the Perfect Wife series)," 2017.
Screenprint on paper; 1 of 8 edition 23 x 19 in. (framed). "Hidden Stories," 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Tricia Toms.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/DSC_3383-350x350.jpg)
![Works by Artist Annie Lee-Zimerle. Far left: works from the Perfect Wife Series, 2017-18. Far right: "View from the Window, no. 4," 2022. Tunnel book: relief print and watercolor on paper, book board, cloth and ribbon. "Hidden Stories," Installation view, 2023. University of Southern Maine Art Gallery. Photo by Kat Zagaria Buckley.](https://usm.maine.edu/gallery/wp-content/uploads/sites/229/2023/02/20230119_150551-350x350.jpg)