Woodward Library Blog

Unbannable Library Spotlight: Billy Renkl

A Lifelong Love of Literature and Art: Spotlight on a Local Artist

As conversations around censorship and access to literature become increasingly urgent, artists play a vital role in advocating for the written word. With over thirty years of experience as an educator, local artist Billy Renkl offers a unique perspective shaped by his commitment to nurturing young minds. His artistic journey has led him to the Unbannable Library project—a series of oversized book sculptures that boldly challenge censorship. Through his work in illustration and artistic expression, Renkl reveals the transformative power of the written word.

A Career Steeped in Creativity

"I'm beginning my 36th year at APSU, teaching illustration and drawing," Renkl begins, his words carrying the weight of experience. His career has been intrinsically linked with literature. "I've worked with texts my entire professional life – as an illustrator of books, but also as an exhibiting artist who finds inspiration in literature, from King Lear to the poet Mary Oliver."

The Futility of Banning Ideas

When asked about his motivation to participate in the Unbannable Library project, Renkl’s response is both philosophical and practical. "As it turns out, most books are ultimately unbannable – at least now," he says. He points out the irony often seen in censorship attempts: "The efforts of misguided and small-minded people to try to ban a book often lead, eventually, to increased desirability and access. Ideas just aren't well-behaved."

Drawing from history, he references the 1882 edition of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, which sold out in Boston within a day of being banned. This example serves as a cornerstone for his contribution to the Unbannable Library project.

Whitman's Enduring Legacy

For his sculpture, Renkl and his collaborator, Susannah Felts, chose to focus on Whitman's Leaves of Grass. "We intentionally picked a 'classic' book – one that was banned in its time and is now beloved as great literature," he explains. The choice is poignant, highlighting how time often vindicates controversial works. "Whitman's great work didn't become greater in the 169 years since it was first published, we just caught up with it."

The Power of Collaboration

Working with Felts, Renkl found his preconceptions challenged in the best way. While he initially imagined focusing on Whitman's botanical imagery, his
collaborator zeroed in on the book's once-scandalous exploration of sensuality and desire. "That was so much more powerful than the small place I would have taken the project," he admits. "Susannah reminded me that the book was not just beautiful but was also heroic and necessary – a book that merited an oversized form."

Art as a Catalyst for Self-Discovery

As an educator in the Department of Art + Design, Renkl sees his role as more than just teaching techniques. "Over here we beta test everything that our culture is going to be wrestling with in a few years," he says. He views his position as a privilege, witnessing students become themselves through art and inquiry.

Reflecting on his own undergraduate experience, he contrasts the definitive statements of his upbringing with the open-ended questions of university life. “I'd spent my whole life up to that point being told who I was by well-meaning people who loved me: this is what we eat, this is what we believe, this is how we think about money and gender and beauty and everything else,” he says. “When I got to the University, those statements were replaced with a series of questions: What do you eat? What do you believe? Who are you? Who are you going to be?" These questions, he believes, are at the heart of education and personal growth.

A Personal Stand Against Censorship

The artist's passion for free access to literature is deeply personal. Recounting his childhood experiences in a small public library, he credits his parents' open-mindedness and trust in allowing him to read freely. "My parents could have been small-minded: my mom grew up on a peanut farm in south Alabama and my dad didn't graduate from college. But they weren't. And they trusted me, and they believed in the library."

This trust extended to professionals as well. Renkl vehemently supports the expertise of teachers and librarians in curating appropriate materials for young readers. “They are well-educated experts in their fields. Leaving aside all they know about learning styles and literacy and brain development and vocabulary and teaching strategies and inclusiveness – they've also had more coursework in child psychology than most parents. Can't we just trust them to do their jobs?” he asserts, advocating for better compensation for their crucial work.

A Call to Action

Renkl’s hopes for the Unbannable Library project are clear: beyond admiration for the oversized sculptures, he wants viewers to engage directly with the literature. "I hope they check out a copy of Whitman and carry it around in their pockets such that it changes their lives," he says, embodying the transformative power of literature he's championed throughout his career.

In a world where debates over censorship continue to rage, Renkl’s voice serves as a reminder of the enduring power of ideas and the importance of trusting individuals, especially young people, to engage with diverse perspectives. His contribution to the Unbannable Library stands not just as a work of art, but as a testament to the "heroic openness" that allows literature to shape and enrich our lives.