about my books:
I incorporated the notion of creation and destruction into my creative process, it seemed all too appropriate to release the emotions (frequently rage) without restraint, and by bringing it into my painting, and drawing, I found that not only was the process cathartic but surprisingly effective. The happy accidents coming much more than with considered and composed working.
Each image in these books has undergone some form of trauma, some books I soaked and stained, some hacked to bits or burnt through. Photographs had acid applied, prints were frantically etched and paintings scratched through.
The title of the show was “you can’t judge a book by its cover”. This referred not only to the saying, warning about objectifying others, but literally, to the discrepancy between the content and the jacket.
One book I covered in black rubber and barbed with 1 inch tacks, it looks lethal, but though hazardous to handle, contains nothing more than monoprints. Another book looked innocent, but had a primed mousetrap waiting for the unsuspecting viewer (rendered safe, naturally).
I began to relish the contrast between the pristine perfection of a books appearance and its ambiguous contents, as if the clean and smooth outer jacket, sanitizes it, tempting the viewer into potential corruption.
I hope you enjoy the journey too.