The public is invited to a free opening reception for the exhibit “Impressions… letterpress, monotype, and etchings,” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Barry Gallery at Marymount University. It will feature the work of Bridget Murphy, Marymount’s associate provost for academic affairs. In addition, an artist talk will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the gallery on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Murphy, who has also served as a professor in MU’s School of Arts and Sciences and the chair of the Graphic Design and Fine Arts Department, uses both traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. The inspiration for her current work focuses on multiple topics: typographic design, her travels and her garden.

“I work with century old wood type, letterpresses, paper, and processes such as hand-inking to produce prints exhibiting the beauty of letterforms,” she said, adding that her recent travels have been to Skopelos, Greece, which are reflected in the mixed-media monotype prints. “Landscapes, streets, architecture, and found objects are central to these monotypes. By removing the everyday object from its normal place and using it in new situations, I hope you will see new and exciting forms.”

For the past decade, she has studied, grown and cultivated irises.

“You will see abstract forms in my iris etchings,” she said. “The flower images translate an emotion, fine details, and a moment in time to paper.”

The Barry Gallery, located in the Reinsch Library at Marymount, 2807 North Glebe Road, is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.

The exhibit will run through Nov. 18 For more information, go to www.marymount.edu/
barrygallery.