Philadelphia: Alice Austin, 2016. Paperback. Number 8 of 16 copies, signed by the artist. A tunnel book inspired by the wild, west coast of County Mayo, Ireland, echoing the unique costal geometry of angular cliffs, blowholes, seaweed and plants. This double-sided tunnel book also evokes a telescope, becoming an optical device. Looking through the opening, the eye sharpens its focus on an object at the other end. Housed in a blue paste paper covered box, printed with a linoleum cut image of seaweed. The interior contains a Celtic spiral design, which is viewed through the hole in the book. Size: 8 x 8 x 2 inches.
Alice Austin has been awarded several artist residencies in Europe including a few in Ireland. This book was created after her 2016 fellowship with the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in County Mayo, Ireland.
"My approach to the book is often sculptural: the form presents the idea. Words, when used, reinforce the visual. My knowledge of different book forms has evolved over the years spent as a book conservator and teacher. I see myself as a keeper of craft, using this respect for a beautifully realized book, and combining it with a modern approach, to create a sensual object. In my work I am interested in the textures of different mark making - drawn or printed - the feel of the paper - the sound of the page - as it relates to the entire book" (artist statement).
Alice Austin is a printmaker, book artist and painter living and working in Philadelphia. She has been on the faculty at the University of the Arts, teaching book structures, and has also taught workshops at the Center for Book Arts in New York, Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ireland, The Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, and other institutions. She earned a BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art and has been an active member of the Guild of Book Workers since 1998. She worked as a rare book and paper conservator for over 20 years at the Library Company of Philadelphia. Alice has also been awarded several artist residencies in Europe, and her work is widely held in private, public and special collections worldwide. ARTB/030624. Fine. More