Artist Statement

I work within (sometimes outside of) the boundaries of wood and metal type because they demand clarity and open pathways to new stories. Each impression, handset, inked, and pulled, is an act of care and reflection. My practice explores the dialogue between old and new, type and image, color and meaning, seeking harmony that amplifies both message and emotion. At its core, my work is rooted in connection: to encourage, to inspire, and to create spaces of hope and belonging. Through layered color, texture, and form, I invite viewers to slow down, reflect, and become part of a larger community story.

Bio:

Jennifer (Jenn) Graves is a letterpress printer, book artist, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. She works within the tactile traditions of the book arts and print, exploring how materials, process, and form can shape the stories we tell. Her printed works have been exhibited across the U.S. and internationally, often inviting audiences into a quiet conversation between craft and
concept, intimacy and public voice.

She teaches Book Projects at Otis College of Art and Design and leads bookmaking and
letterpress workshops at places like the Printing Museum and through her own studio, SCRAPScollective.

At the heart of her practice is a belief that books are more than objects—they are experiences, carriers of memory, and tools for connection.