The design of the book was based on a children’s storybook that tells a tale through images. The main character is an exaggerated form praying mantis, understood as a self-portrait of the artist as a young man. Titled after an Allen Ginsberg poem, A Way Out of the Mirror includes over two hundred drawings deliberately printed on thin paper. The special edition of the book was packaged in a personalized Tyvek pink envelope. Tyvek was chosen for its outstanding water resistance to both complement and withstand Farmer’s sculptural waterworks that were part of the Biennale exhibition.

Ottawa-based designer with more than twenty years of experience in the design and creative industry, including exhibition design and print. He blends innovation with practicality and an unswerving focus on results. Stefan’s experience is in the visual arts and many aspects of design. He excels at all elements of the creative process and has a multifaceted approach to design. As a professional, he works every day to forge profound links between organizations and their audiences through clear, creative, effective and well-managed designs and strategies. His work has been recognized both nationally and internationally by The Advertising of Design Club of Canada, AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers, Alcuin Society, Applied Arts, Communication Arts, Graphis and The Society of Typographic Arts, among others.

The National Gallery of Canada strives to provide to Canadian with a sence of identity and pride in Canada’s rich visual arts heritage.