The Fence Environment #1 is on exhibit at A Novel Idea at the Hampden Gallery Incubator Project Space at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, from December 11 - February 27, 2012. The Opening Reception is Sunday December 11th, from 2 - 4pm.
A Novel Idea is a show of one of a kind altered books, an art form that I never worked with before being invited to participate in this show.
My artist's statement for my piece is below:
In 2002, I started seeing different patterns, shapes and sizes of orange construction fences that were being used at many construction sites as a barrier to keep people out of danger, by blocking off the site. I think in grids, and because of that, I fell in love with the fences immediately.
My altered book, The Fence Environment #1, combines my interests in both fence and personal boundaries. The title is a play on the title of the original book and my love of construction fences, and it also stays within the naming system I use for my work, by using the word Fence in every title.
Some of the content in the original book included therapeutic boundaries, which I believe also works well with the how actual fences also provide boundaries.
In May 2011, I started to work on The Fence As Lace Series explores the lace-like qualities of construction fences. I carried that theme into this book.
The 28 or so new "pages" are made of monoprinted fabric that is stiffened so they feel more like paper. Before adding them to the book, I cut holes out of the edges of the stiffened fabric "pages", which made them more lace-like. I alternated between seven different patterns of "pages" that varied in size, pattern, density of paint and/or holes cut in them.
Shown at the top of this post: The Fence Environment #1, mixed media with stiffened fabric, book cover 9.25" x 6", book including pages 14" x 10.25". Shown above is the book open.
