Bloom
Philadelphia: Alice Austin, 2006. Paperback. Number 12 of 15 copies, signed by the artist. A pop-up book reflecting on thoughts of motherhood and giving birth to new life. This accordion book is bound in orange paste paper covered boards with red cloth spine and paper title label to spine. The interior is letterpress printed on Rives BFK paper, which has been painted orange and red, with a central floral pop-up suggestive of a vulva. Housed in grey archival box with paper title label to spine panel. [6 pages.] Size: 8 x 7 inches. "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