The Red Thread
CT: Ellen Schiffman. Hardcover. A unique artist's book. Ellen Schiffman has worked as a professional artist for over 30 years in her Connecticut studio. She is a multimedia artist working in a range of modalities including fiber art, collage, sculpture, photography, printing, cyanotype, eco printing and, most recently, book art. She often combines multiple media in a single piece. Throughout her career, she has been an avid explorer of both material and technique, often including found objects and everyday humble items in her pieces. Serendipity and surprise are hallmarks of her singular work. She has exhibited her work nationwide, including numerous museum shows and solo exhibits. She has received multiple awards for her work and has been featured in online and print publications, including several books. Her work reflects a fascination with texture, pattern, color, organic shapes, sculptural forms, the majesty of nature, and the beauty of imperfection.
The pandemic shut-down provided Ellen with an abundance of time to explore and experiment with some media that were new to her. She started making books during this time. She felt an immediate connection with the materials and the techniques of this compelling art form and found the process of making books a meditative balm for stressful times. Books have allowed her the opportunity to present her work in new and exciting ways. She celebrates the fact, unlike most other forms of art, the viewer gets to touch and interact with a book, thereby becoming an active participant in the process of the book becoming a meaningful piece of art. She frequently uses her books to present a body of related art work, while just as often she uses them as vehicles to capture the essence of memorable places, issues and moments in time. As the worst of the pandemic has subsided, Ellen has continued her book making journey, exhibiting her books in notable book art exhibits nationwide.
She writes of this lovely book: Eco Printing is a process in which plants are placed on treated paper which is rolled and bound. The entire bundle is then either submerged in boiling water or steamed. Often items are placed in the water to influence the printing outcome. In time the plants transfer a permanent image to the paper. The image can be clear and crisp or ethereal and dreamlike. The colors can vary from the original plant in surprising ways. It is a serendipitous process, always surprising, always delightful. This collection of eco prints uses plants found in my garden and in the wood surrounding my CT home during the pandemic, highlight the beauty in the everyday. The Japanese stab bound book is covered in earthy brown paper, with twig, bead and cloth elements attached to the front cover, along with an eco-print and a title label. Each page protected by a velum guard. There are eight original prints in this book embellished with red leather cord highlights. In fine condition. Oblong book measuring 7.5 x 11.25 inches. Unpaginated ARTB/071524. Fine.
Item #37367
Price: $600.00