What is an Artist's Book?
Everyone knows a book…especially by it’s cover…but, what makes an artist book? Not every artist’s book can be distinguished by it’s cover…or it’s form. In a nutshell (and artists have used nutshells to contain miniature books), artist’s books use the book format to present art in an intimate dwelling that is more visual than textual. It may contain words or a poem…but, it’s form is to be enjoyed as a visual unfolding. It can be playful, sculptural, and not even look like a book! Defining one is the most difficult question for book artists to answer and everyone answers the question differently.
Whatever definition one would like to offer, artist’s books offer visual imagery that is for private viewing. They unfold, and encircle…some include secret pockets or envelopes to place that secret message meant only for the viewer. Others may have pop-ups, that surprise! And, one just has to get one’s hands on them to experience the fun of what they are!
The artist’s books that I’m presenting here are fun structures that do exactly that…they entice the viewer to come explore with me by presenting imagery placed in a book-like format using traditional book board, book cloth, beading, paint, metallic thread and archival papers. The viewer can envision his own narrative much like reading a book. As the viewer unfolds and views, various angles may change the perception that the book intends. The artist's book above entitled "Finding Center..." does exactly that. It is a house-shaped book that resembles a portable altar that an individual may have used to instill courage or spiritual awareness before setting out on a journey to unknown worlds or within one's own world. Each view is unique dependent upon how the observer moves the work. This is the magic of an artist's book. The narrative is not set but remains fluid and allowing the reader to create his own story. Placed at IUPUI, Artist Book Collection
I hope you enjoy viewing these artist's books as much as I enjoy creating them!!!
Maryann J. Riker
JUSTARIP Press
Whatever definition one would like to offer, artist’s books offer visual imagery that is for private viewing. They unfold, and encircle…some include secret pockets or envelopes to place that secret message meant only for the viewer. Others may have pop-ups, that surprise! And, one just has to get one’s hands on them to experience the fun of what they are!
The artist’s books that I’m presenting here are fun structures that do exactly that…they entice the viewer to come explore with me by presenting imagery placed in a book-like format using traditional book board, book cloth, beading, paint, metallic thread and archival papers. The viewer can envision his own narrative much like reading a book. As the viewer unfolds and views, various angles may change the perception that the book intends. The artist's book above entitled "Finding Center..." does exactly that. It is a house-shaped book that resembles a portable altar that an individual may have used to instill courage or spiritual awareness before setting out on a journey to unknown worlds or within one's own world. Each view is unique dependent upon how the observer moves the work. This is the magic of an artist's book. The narrative is not set but remains fluid and allowing the reader to create his own story. Placed at IUPUI, Artist Book Collection
I hope you enjoy viewing these artist's books as much as I enjoy creating them!!!
Maryann J. Riker
JUSTARIP Press
