I designed the exhibition catalogue for Strut: The Peacock and Beauty in Art, a major scholarly exhibition at the Hudson River Museum examining the symbolism of the peacock across more than 150 works from the nineteenth century to the present. Because the catalogue was entirely essay-driven, the design needed to support long-form academic writing while remaining visually engaging and accessible.

The layout was developed to encourage close interaction between text and image. Typography was allowed to flow around sculptural forms, and asymmetrical compositions were used to echo the elegance and theatricality of the exhibition’s subject. These design decisions helped create a rhythm that complemented the essays rather than overwhelming them.

Each section opened with a designed spread that paired a full-bleed image collage with a decorative pattern page derived from historical textiles and peacock motifs found in the exhibition. These opening spreads served as visual gateways into each essay, establishing atmosphere while maintaining clarity and continuity throughout the book.

The catalogue included feature spreads, poem pages, and an intricate inside-cover grid showcasing the breadth of peacock-related works. Throughout the project, the goal was to balance scholarly rigor with an immersive visual language suited to themes of beauty, vanity, and spectacle. Editor Linda Locke was closely involved during the design phase, offering insights that helped shape and refine the final publication.