Trophied
Rutland, VT: Shattuck Studio, 2023. Hardcover. Number 6 of nine copies signed by the book artist. This is another inventive work from well-known artist Carolyn Shattuck that displays her skill in using various book structures to convey meaning and context in the books she creates. In addition to artists' books, she is a painter and creator of paper art. Carolyn exhibits her work nationally in numerous juried exhibitions and has received many awards. Her books have been collected by a number of special collections libraries at universities throughout the country. She teaches Book Art workshops in New England and Florida. Carolyn is passionate about revealing the fate of endangered wild animals that are sought and killed for the use of their bodies for medicinal purposes, for their body parts, or for hunting trophies. This artist's book calls attention to the peril of African lions and painted dogs. It joins her previously created books about imperiled elephants, rhinos, and pangolins. She writes in the book: "Lions are rapidly losing ground. Highly valued, they are often poached for their body parts which are then used in traditional medicinal remedies or their heads are mounted by trophy hunters as status symbols." She continues: "Trophied emphasizes the need to respond to this downward spiraling truth about the animals on our earth who are vulnerable." This book utilizes an adapted accordion book structure to create a green environment where two brown adult lions and two cubs pop up when the book is opened. There is also an arbor where two painted dogs are standing. The book is bound in a green, felt-like paper with a paper title label to the front cover. The covers are perched above the contents by four paper covered blocks. The inside of the front cover has a paper page affixed that describes the predicament of African lions. The inside of the rear cover has a white paper volvelle affixed on a sheet of black and white paper. There is also a small page with information about the perils of painted dogs. The book is constructed with various papers including Lama Li, Epson, Mixed Media, and Hahnemuhle Velour. The book is housed in a black paper covered slipcase with a yellow title label. In fine condition. The book measures 13²x 5¹x 3.5² inches when closed. ARTB/120423. Fine. More