Finding belonging through nature: Leverett exhibit showcases linoleum block prints

Different people, different perspectives, united in ink.

Visitors to Leverett Crafts & Arts this month will find “Transcendent Ink: The Nature of (Queer) Belonging,” an exhibit of hand-carved linoleum block prints inspired by nature and queerness. The linoleum block prints were created by Pioneer Valley artists Jasper Alexander, Jay Neal, Emet Aron and Pascale Jarvis.

“It’s a really exciting thing,” Jarvis said. “Emet and Jay have known each other for years. Then I met them, and Jasper and I had been internet friends until they moved here from Texas. … I don’t think any of us have had too many individual exhibits either, so it’s cool we get to work together on this one.”

Jarvis said while they all learned print-making in different places, either with hands-on experimentation or in art classes, they find similar inspiration through nature.

“We all learned print-making in different ways, but we’ve all come to be inspired by the natural world,” Jarvis said.

The four have all found inspiration in the flora and fauna of western Massachusetts, and each feels they identify with different plants that represent otherness and are a metaphor for growing up queer, according to Jarvis. They added that they particularly draw inspiration from Mount Tom, where they grew up and still enjoy exploring.

“It’s a very spiritual place for me,” Jarvis said.

The prints on display in the Leverett exhibit explore the concept of finding oneself, as well as finding community and belonging through nature. The process of creating a print is time-consuming and difficult, but therapeutic, Jarvis said.

“This artform is one of the hardest forms you can do,” Jarvis said. “It’s medieval and so few people still practice it, but it is so rewarding and feels good to complete.”

They described how after finding inspiration in nature or community, they take a reference and sketch a design onto a linoleum plate. They then use special tools to carve the image into the linoleum, being mindful of negative space and where ink will be and will not be. Jarvis said the twofold nature of the process is ironic, given the queer and non-binary identities of the artists.

“You can have ink or not have ink; it’s very binary,” Jarvis said. “It’s ironic and it’s interesting. Concepts like gender identity are very nuanced, but actually working with a print is very straightforward.”

After carving the linoleum, the artists differ in methodology. Jarvis said there are different ways to create the print. After squirting some ink on the plate, you can use a machine press, rolling pin tools or press the image by hand. They added that images can also be printed on different materials, including paper, fabrics and wood. No matter what method the artist uses, days or weeks of carving result in a print representing the artists’ connections to queerness and nature.

“Then voila, you have a print,” Jarvis said.

The exhibit is on display at Leverett Crafts & Arts at 13 Montague Road. Exhibit hours are every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout July.

A reception will be held on Sunday, July 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. All are invited to meet the artists, peruse their work and enjoy refreshments.

For more information about the exhibit, visit the “Transcendent Ink” Eventbrite page at tinyurl.com/TranscendentInk.