Artists Books 2004-2006

A SELECTION OF MY ARTISTS BOOKS FROM 2004 - 2006

Textured Texts 2006
Collection of ten sculptural books constructed from intertwined concertinas
measuring 10 x 4 x 3 cm. 
Canson and Fabriano papers, PVC, Chinese Ink, Acrylic paint, inkjet print
3 Original versions
Artists own collection

The books when opened are book sculptures breaking up the flat surface of the opened book and integrating patterns and page.






The Pop-up Battle Book (The Battle Within) 2006
Altered Children's pop-up book reconstructed from codex to hanging concertina.
Inkjet prints of text, drawings and collograph on Arches paper, the pages 
folded into Turkish map fold.
26.5 x 18.5 cm., 1.6 metres long when hanging.
Held in Private Collection in San Francisco, USA

The original interactive book has had the pop-ups disabled reflecting the distressing realities of the war experience which can leave the person mentally and socially disabled even though they have survived physically.  The inward folding new pop-up pages reflect the inward and closed post-traumatic mental state who endures a lifetime battling the enemy within.










Gold Coast Kaleidoscope 2006
Sculptural book of folded circular pages with inserts.
Calligraphic texts, Chinese ink, Gouache, Canson paper, PVC
12 x 12 x 10 cm. in box
Artists own collection

The essence of the Gold Coast, the colours and patterns of its natural and built environment have been interpreted textually, visually and calligraphically.








The Flowers of Evil 2006
Quarter circle sculptural book
Fabriano Roma papers and walnut ink.
8 x 8 x 2.5 cm.
Private collection, Southport Qld.
Artists own collection

The book contains the text of Correspondances from Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire written in expressive lettering.  Tiny legible words of the poem are scattered 
throughout the marks on the page.







Botanical Books 2005
Fifteen small books of various sculptural shapes and numerous binding styles
made from English, German and Australian calfskin vellums, translucent paper,
linen thread, walnut ink and watercolour pencil.
75 x 50 x 10 cm.
Finalist in The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, S.A. Museum, Adelaide.
Held by the Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK

The binding style of each book was chosen as most appropriate for the appearance and structure
 of the plant.  Drypoint etchings were made of the pressed flowers and were printed by 
frottage giving the appearance of old medieval botanical illustrations.  
The concept for display was a large display case like botanical specimens in a museum.





   



Windows on the World 2005
Two concertina books made from painted canvas mounted on recycled patterned perspex.
36 x 12.5 x 7.5 cm.
 Books on Books Collection, Oxford, UK

Technological illumination such as television screens, computers, large screens and advertising visually transmit images and act as carriers of global information, education and entertainment.
The purpose of medieval stained glass windows was to educate and enlighten as well as being  mystical and aesthetic.





O What a Tangled Web, we Weave 2004
Circular book in four parts each with two circular folded pages
Arches, Japanese paper, gouache.
17 x 17 x 2 cm in box. 2 Originals
Original held in the State Library of Qld collection,  Brisbane
Second Edition of 10 with printed pages in card box held in collections in Archivio Book-Art, Rome Italy, Csok Istvan Mujseum, Szekesfehervar, Hungary
4 held in private collections.

The well known quote by Sir Walter Scott has been interpreted visually/textually.
The attractive appearance of the book is deceptive like a relationship 
whose outward appearances mask the reality within - 
Secret and Whispers, Evasion and Insincerity, Lies and Spies, Deception and Betrayal.
Like the relationship, the book is broken into parts.






Alphabetic Codes 2005
Two Concertina books of different sizes and one small tetrahedron shaped book
Two layered canvases painted with acrylic paint are mounted onto perspex.
23 x 16 x 8 cm. in box
 Books on Books Collection, Oxford, UK

Referencing ancient writing systems, hieroglyphics and engravings, this book is an investigation of sign systems and shared cultural knowledge.  Fragmented coded images derived from familiar letterforms lie beneath the surface and although visible remain indecipherable and  incomprehensible.

  



Winter Leaves 2004
Single sheet Coptic binding
Handprinted and cutout leaves mounted onto polycarbonate, Fabriano Roma paper, 
Japanese paper, linen thread printing ink.
Purchased by Robert Heather for Artspace Mackay Artists Book Collection, Mackay, Qld.

100 leaves were handprinted from the first major Liquidamber leaf fall in May 2004, 
then cut out and 'pressed' between the pages of this book.
The beauty of their dying process as they begin to twist, curl and fold in on themselves has been recorded.  The tinted polycarbonate adds a dark and moody winter atmosphere.






The Music Book 2004
Copper shim cylinders standing in a 3D box frame
22.5 x 18.5 x 28 cm 
Artist's own collection

Sculptural interpretation of a book of music sheets - rolled up unbound and assembled 
into a book format whose structure resembles organ pipes.  The copper shim was engraved with
sets of music lines and lyrical calligraphic marks.








The Language of the Seasons 2004
Wall hanging book of twenty pages displayed in CD cases.
Prints, drawings and calligraphy on Arches and Japanese Papers, printing ink and gouache
90 x 60 cm

A visual language related to our cultural beliefs and understanding of the seasonal cycle.
The use of CD cases suggests associations with music about the seasons.