Mary Bennett. Fodor’s Iran 1979. Altered vintage book, wall hung, linen tape, gesso, thread. 43.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches. 2010. Unique
Portland, Oregon’s 23 Sandy Gallery is quickly becoming one of the premier book art destinations on the west coast.
Their latest show Book Power! is a knockout. It showcases artist books addressing the social, political and environmental issues of our times.
Randi Parkhurst. Colony 45. Papers by the artist, linen thread, long stitch over book cloth tapes, acrylic, graphite, watercolor, braided linen pulls. 17 x 17 inches. 2010. Unique
The exhibition features work by over 40 artists and proves that:
an artist book can be a powerful vehicle to shed light on the problems we face in the world and can also be a strong call for change. War, poverty, decay, politics, revolution, violence, feminism, environmental, economic and political upheaval are but a few of the issues that these concerned artists have used to engage their readers in an effort to raise consciousness, call for justice and provoke action.
Lauren Jacobs. Gradually Green. The illustrations are hand drawn and painted, then compiled and edited using Photoshop. Tape binding. 10 pages. 8.5 x 11 x .25 inches. 2007. Edition of 6
Edgar Papazian. Scaleless: Approaching the Armenian Genocide. Digital printing, museum board cover. 65 pages. 8.5 x 8 x .75 inches. 2005. Edition of 10
Book Power! runs through June 26th. A 48-page, full color, printed catalog of the exhibition can be purchased here.