Transparency

The almost-nothingness of transparent backgrounds was the starting point for this work. Those grey and white chequered backgrounds that show transparency on graphics files, that are often left unnoticed, intrigued me. I wanted to make something with these overlooked backgrounds.

I like that transparent backgrounds describe a see-though plane by using an opaque pattern. And that they do so in virtual space. I wanted to transform this pattern by making it a material object that would occupy a physical space. I wanted it to unfold the way a map does, something that describes a territory.

Transparency is a map fold book to be held up to see the world beyond it.

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Transparency is part of a project made with members of the art collective Art Byte Critique. Responding to the theme Futuristic Illusion, this book belongs to a collaborative project with books by Arthur Huang, Patty Hudak, Yuko Kamei, Nick West, and Carlee Wolcott. It was first shared at Bristol Artist’s Book Event 2024.

Transparency is part of the collection of artists’ books at the UWE (University of West England).

Tinder

Tinder is a book made from matches and glue. It is the first object in the Books From Things series. The matches were bought from several ¥100 stores in Tokyo. Physically, Tinder is now cinder; it no longer exists.

Tinder was shown at the Launch Pad Gallery, Yokohama and at various Art Book Fairs.

Folded Hands

Folded Hands is a book made from work gloves and thread. Part of the Books From Things series, these gloves were sourced from a local DIY shop and then sewn together. I like that this book reflects the gesture a reader makes when a book lays open before them, and the way they fold together.

Folded Hands was shown at Vancouver Art Book Fair and Tokyo Art Book Fair.

Likewise

Likewise is a concertina book made from black and white keyboard keys. This book is part of the Books From Things series. To make this book, I dismantled a keyboard and then threaded it together with cotton.

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… is a book made from dice and glue, and is part of the Books From Things series. I liked the idea of assembling a book from existing objects. My initial choice of dice was based on the pattern that the dots make, suggesting a code or language.

… was shown at Bristol Art Book Event 2022 and was sold to Bookartbookshop.