Lincoln, Neb.—“Mickey Smith: Morphologies” opens Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 26 at the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery in Richards Hall.
The exhibition is the largest-to-date U.S. solo exhibition of Minnesota-born, Aotearoa (New Zealand)-based conceptual artist and photographer Mickey Smith. The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery is presenting this exhibition in conjunction with Fiendish Plots, 2130 Magnum Circle, in Lincoln.
An opening reception will be held Friday, Sept. 5 from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery. Regular gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Over the past two decades, Smith has documented significant cultural shifts in academic and public libraries, primarily across the U.S., Aotearoa/New Zealand and the South Pacific. Her photography captures the evolution of libraries, from traditional card catalogs and stacks to digitization and the advent of artificial intelligence, highlighting their role as stewards of knowledge.
The exhibition features Smith’s acclaimed projects—"VOLUME,” “Denudation” and “As You Will: Carnegie Libraries of the South Pacific”—alongside new video work and an installation made from deaccessioned books, donated to the project by University of Nebraska’s libraries.
Through this confluence of Smith’s oeuvre, “Morphologies” explores the dynamic nature of library lifecycles with striking imagery, including new work from the historic chained library at Hereford Cathedral in England and her trademark—never lit nor touched—captures of in-situ bound periodicals. Smith’s work considers not only the ways in which books are revered, but how libraries adapt to changes, including repurposing buildings and transitioning from physical books to online resources.
In addition to the exhibition, Smith will present the Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Sheldon Museum of Art. The lecture is free and open to the public.
The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery is the departmental gallery of the School of Art, Art History & Design and is located on the first floor of Richards Hall at Stadium Drive and T streets on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln city campus.
“Mickey Smith: Morphologies” is generously sponsored by Robert and Karan Duncan.
