Su Blackwell's Paper Cut Fairytales

I love finding creative work within book art, and have recently come across Su Blackwell's detailed paper cut fairytales. She has created and exhibited stunning sculptures and illustrated her own book of fairytales, 'The Fairytale Princess'. The book is a collection of seven fairy tales, which include Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Snow White. The characters and stories emerge from the pages with a series of stunning paper cut illustrations.

"I often work within the realm of fairy-tales and folk-lore. I began making a series of book-sculpture, cutting-out images from old books to create three-dimensional diorama’s, and displaying them inside wooden boxes. The magic and otherworldliness of traditional fairytale collections meet glorious, contemporary paper constructions."

Many of Su's pieces include vulnerable characters, which are surrounded by the haunting and overpowering trees. I really like the delicate shadows created in the photography of the books, which enhances the fragile characters.

You can see more of Su Blackwell's work and visit her online shop on her website
http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/

BABE - Bristol Artists Book Event

Yesterday Ellie and I had a little break from work and cycled down to the Arnolfini to have a look at the Bristol artists book fair. There were so many different artists and shops there with a range of work from one-off-books, screen prints to zines and printed books. The event took place in three of the galleries and the auditorium. There were so many lovely things there I wanted them all! I really like the book art on a lot of the stalls and it has inspired me to do more in my projects. I very nearly bought a printed publication based on photography which relates to my self directed study but its probably for the best I didn't. Need to save my pennies for printing as my deadline is in 17 days! I did however pick up lots of different business cards and lovely little postcards.

Brian Dettmer

Absolutely love this work by Brian Dettmer. The spine and pages of the books have been manipulated into these interesting sculptures revealing words and images. 

"My work is a collaboration with existing material and its past creators and the completed pieces expose new relationships of the book's internal elements exactly where they have been since their original conception." 

You can see more examples of Brian Dettmer's work on his website here
http://briandettmer.com/

Book Art

I really want to get this book! Need to stop spending all my money on new books but the paper art is just so good! This book looks into contemporary art works, designs and installations created from books. Some are just stunning! This first piece by Olafur Ellason shows the structure of a house laser cut into the pages of a book. 

Look at the Gestalten website for the newest releases in art books. 
http://shop.gestalten.com/books/spring-2011/book-art.html