NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       DATE: 2/20/07 CONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION ASST., (413) 545-0162   UMass Amherst Libraries Presents "Prints of Cellular Imagery" ~ An Exhibit by Hannah Richards ~ Amherst, MA - The UMass Amherst Libraries presents “Prints of Cellular Imagery,” an exhibit of collagraph intaglio prints by Hannah Richards through March 31, 2007, at the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library, Lederle Lowrise, UMass Amherst.  An opening reception will be held on Feb. 22, 2007, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. This body of work explores the female reproductive system on a deep cellular level, revealing the beauty of form via abstracting the representational to its most basic structure.  The images are based on histology photographs of the cellular makeup of various tissues in the female reproductive system. The aim in making these prints is a focus on the abstract beauty as much as the subject matter itself. These monoprints examine the universal dichotomy of the female body; its sexual ubiquity in media, the societal expectation of chastity, and behind these, its power in giving life; the physicality of reproduction.   In the context of form and function, this work is about human reproduction as facilitated by female bodies, and the body as a prime example of something greater than the sum of its parts. An intaglio print is one whose image is printed from a recessed design incised or etched into the surface of a plate. In this type of print, the ink lies below the surface of the plate and is transferred to the paper under pressure. The printed lines of an intaglio print stand in relief on the paper. Collagraph is a form of intaglio printing related to etching and engraving. Collagraphs can be done on cardboard, paper, wood, metal or plastic plates. Like collages; the printing surface is built up from other added materials. Collagraph plates are created by gluing materials like textured paper or fabric onto the plate. It is then coated with varnish or acrylic medium. In the process of Intaglio printing, the areas incised or cut into a metal plate actually print the image while the un-cut surfaces are wiped clean.  Unlike the relief process, the printed area lies below the top surface, instead of above. Hours of the exhibit follow the hours of the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library.  For hours, call (413) 545-1370 or visit: http://www.library.umass.edu/hours/spring2007.pdf.  For more information, contact Barbara Stewart at (413) 577-2634 or stew@library.umass.edu.