During my exploration of the art of book altering, I got the
idea for creating book sculptures that would become wall hangings. I wanted
to be able to have books that felt alive, with parts of the book spilling out
in an explosion of color and texture. I wanted paper to fly out the top, dangle
down from the center, protrude from the sides. I knew this couldn't be accomplished
with the altered books I had been creating. Pieces needed to hang free, unobstructed.
I also wanted my altered books to hang from the wall as a way of being seen
and valued in the way that paintings are. The result is the
book sculptures you
see
below,
labeled
wall hangings so that people can more easily identify with them.
My process is a simple one:
I select books whose titles inspire me to create something visually unique.
I
find my
books at second hand stores and library book sales. I look at the title, and
if an idea comes to mind, I'm off and running, interpreting the title without
thinking about the text itself, unlike my other altered books where the text
is often the source of artistic inspiration.
When a book is completed, I secure the back with a piece of flat molding, screwed
into the covers. I attach picture framing wire so the books become sturdy
wall hangings ready to decorate any empty wall. I hope you enjoy looking at these book
sculptures as much as I enjoy creating them.
If you enjoy these wall hangings, I hope you'll take a moment to look at my other
Altered Books
and Reliquaries.
Please click on a wall hanging image or title to get a closer look
at each piece.
