The Friends of the Art Library are pleased to present a solo exhibit of artwork by Denver-based artist, Alicia Bailey. Popular in 18th century Europe, cabinets of curiosities, also known as Wunderkammers, were created to hold personal collections of things of wonder, most often of wealthy, well traveled individuals. The concept of juxtaposing objects from diverse and varied sources rather than imposing a categorical style sorting method of presentation, remains popular in contemporary culture. This concept, in a general way, well describes the ongoing work of Alicia Bailey. Bailey uses the Wunderkammer concept to develop her book and box works into series of portable Wunderkammers, juxtaposing apparently unrelated cultural artifacts, natural history specimens, personal artifacts and custom fabrications to show their interconnectedness in ways that encourage curiosity about the world.

A selection of her book and box works will be on display in the Friends of the Art Library Gallery, upstairs in the Durango Art Center, from May 5 – July 1, 2017.