tempted
Leaves of three, let it be… But, I couldn't do that.
I spent a hot summer collecting poison ivy leaves, drying them and pulping them for paper making, and pressing them for the ornamentation.
This poison ivy book ties together the long histories of poison as women's weapon of choice and the book itself as precious gift. The text within sensuously describes the temptation and allure of forbidden fruit, but the materials suggest an act of revenge. A book is meant to be held.
The primary material in this artists’ book is poison ivy. The accordion structure is made of handmade paper consisting of poison ivy, cotton, and kozo. The pages are arranged in a tonal gradation created by the increased amount of poison ivy pulp such that the final pages of the accordion are nearly pure poison ivy. Luscious green poison ivy leaves are laminated onto the back side of the accordion which both invite touch and warn the harmful consequences of such an action. While the shape of the leaves of three, and the pungent scent of poison ivy typically act as a warning, here they become an intriguing and tempting invitation. There is a flirtation of materials with the addition of mulberry pages bound into the structure with a poison ivy stem.
Poison ivy leaves, handmade poison ivy paper, poison ivy stems, mulberry paper, brass embellishments, silk cloth cover. 5.25” x 4” x 1” closed. Edition of 3. 2023
I spent a hot summer collecting poison ivy leaves, drying them and pulping them for paper making, and pressing them for the ornamentation.
This poison ivy book ties together the long histories of poison as women's weapon of choice and the book itself as precious gift. The text within sensuously describes the temptation and allure of forbidden fruit, but the materials suggest an act of revenge. A book is meant to be held.
The primary material in this artists’ book is poison ivy. The accordion structure is made of handmade paper consisting of poison ivy, cotton, and kozo. The pages are arranged in a tonal gradation created by the increased amount of poison ivy pulp such that the final pages of the accordion are nearly pure poison ivy. Luscious green poison ivy leaves are laminated onto the back side of the accordion which both invite touch and warn the harmful consequences of such an action. While the shape of the leaves of three, and the pungent scent of poison ivy typically act as a warning, here they become an intriguing and tempting invitation. There is a flirtation of materials with the addition of mulberry pages bound into the structure with a poison ivy stem.
Poison ivy leaves, handmade poison ivy paper, poison ivy stems, mulberry paper, brass embellishments, silk cloth cover. 5.25” x 4” x 1” closed. Edition of 3. 2023