Category: Book Sculpture

Good conversation and other reading structures: An adulteration of truth through incessant alteration Jo Howe Book sculpture

Unexpected diversions

Posted on by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture

So, I have been able to get to the studio a little more of late, which I can say, is a real joy!

Something has definitely shifted recently, and the impact on my work for me is very noticeable. I seem to have given myself permission just to create without questioning, and that really feels right. This has generated new paths and a slight redirection in approach.

Many developments in current works are occurring, including getting ridiculously over excited about my latest purchase.

wooden-chest

I Love its worn, haphazard appearance, the sense of its history.  Absolutely perfect to complete an ongoing work.

I have today, spent the five hours marking out text on this little beauty. I am very excited about getting this piece to completion. Not long now I feel.

I have, noticing this quite unusual behaviour for me, that I have been working on three different pieces at the same time.

This one popped up, quite unexpectedly. It seems a bit of a diversion from the other work on the go, and yet rather delightfully, I have a sense of the connection and cohesion in my thinking.

Good conversation and other reading structures: An adulteration of truth through incessant alteration Jo Howe Book sculpture
Good conversation and other reading structures: An adulteration of truth through incessant alteration

Note: There are multiple ways of ‘reading’…this is a playful exploration of this idea.

And my little book cups (for want of a better term). I continue to experiment with these forms, and I continue to be  fascinated with the addition of water to the work, the impact on the reading of the work as it evolves over time, the shift of balance between object and residue.

Experiments Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Cups (experiments)
Experiments Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Cups (experiments)

I think these will grow into a larger piece that will become almost its own performative piece…

All I need is to find the right book for the work and the location to show this…

There is wisdom everywhere…

Posted on by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

I believe in a  wisdom in what we do, how we behave and what choices we make on a sub conscious level and yet, so often, that wisdom’s clarity eludes us.

Occasionally, it slaps us right in the face!

anger

Sometimes, we can gain a greater understanding  on reflection, when you are not swamped with less useful brain activity… but sometimes, not.

Never Tries #1
Never Tries #1

Sometimes, we create in what appears a void, and yet, we cannot exclude ourselves from the process.

Never Tries #2
Never Tries #2

And that process… well, we just have to trust in it, no matter how scary that can be.

Never Tries Dr Monium #1
Never Tries Dr Monium #1

Sometimes we just have to trust in the process, else would we ever start out on the journey in the first place?

Never Tries Dr Monium #2
Never Tries Dr Monium #2

Some random musings for some rather random, if not slightly intriguing work.

Never Tries Outpouring
Never Tries Outpouring
Jo Howe Book Sculpture

A little serendipitous photography

Posted on by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

Isn’t it strange … if we can just respond to  impulse without question … what may be the outcome? Not to stop and question, but just do. You may end up with nothing exciting at all or It may sing to you in joyful voice or perhaps, make you groan inwardly. Whatever the outcomes are (and many of mine are languishing at the depths of the rubbish bin) there may be some that you want to capture for examination and enquiry… these are a couple of  those moments.

Jo Howe Book Sculpture

Quite fascinating the choice of angle for the photography…. I didn’t read the text on the pieces until I looked carefully at the photographs…

Amazing!

I think I need to let go a little more often!

Jo Howe Book Sculpture

Further experimentation – Variations of surface intensity

Posted on by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

Spiral-testFrom the core, an eruption of significant emotional magnitude penetrates the outer shell.

The outpouring is chaotic yet strangely structured, but always hard to predict.

The waves of internal detritus and debris are powerful and all consuming.

Those close enough to witness this explosion are never unaffected.

All ground beneath us shifts, cracks and dissolves the solidity that holds one upright.

The vibrations are felt for hours afterwards, slowly but surely their magnitude dissipates until, eventually, all is still.

This stillness, an uncomfortable calm, both quiet and loud in its silence.

Eventually a soft noise breaks into one’s consciousness, like a chink of light cutting through the rock that veils the valley floor, illuminating our path.

The reality of one’s very existence? Perhaps the way forward?

Burnt-test

Pages turned in Norwich – a review of Turn the Page 2013

Posted on by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Exhibiting, What inspires me is...

Well, what a great time in Norwich, and what a great place.

I-Baii-Tit-Tat
Untitled
Internal dialogue
I Bait Tit Tat
A delicate subject
I Bait Tit Tat
Can you hear me now? – Photography by Roger Dorey

I have returned from my Turn the Page experience, a book artists heaven. On offer, a plethora of amazing books in all their glorious forms for reading, viewing, engaging and interacting as well as poetry readings, storytelling and demonstrations.

I felt really privileged to have been selected to show here in the Forum, in the heart of Norwich, alongside such talented creatives.

This was the first time I had ever contemplated an art fair. It was a really useful experience, remaining connected to the work, rather than just dropping off and collecting it after an exhibition. I found it fascinating discussing my work with visitors, sometimes finding I was justifying the works existence, sometimes just delighting in the visitors engagement and reading of what was on offer. All interactions I found so useful for so many different reasons.

I was supremely humbled by one particular visitors response to one of my pieces, Internal Dialogue. Moved almost to tears, his engagement and reading of the work reminded me that art can result in pure unexpected emotions for the receiver. I have always believed in what I produce and if I didn’t, then for me it would not be worth doing at all.

I was also so fortunate to meet some really talented artists and delight in their work. Particular highlights for me were, Theresa Easton, Emma Lloyd, Nicola Dale,  Jen Fox, Kate Marsden, Catherine Laura Ward and Lucy Baxandall.

Feel inspired… try this, the Summer Reads Book Art Competition

Look out for Turn the Page 2014… I feel sure it will again be an event not to be missed!

Jo Howe Exhibiting at ‘Turn the Page Artists Book Fair’ in Norwich 3rd and 4th May

Posted on by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Exhibiting

Very excited to be part of this event. Looks like it will be a great couple of days! So, If you are near Norwich come on in and say hi.

Let the scalpel to the book page and let it run!

Posted on by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Book Sculpture

I am so excited about the new work I’m currently producing. It takes me back to one of my first encounters with ‘a different type of book’ or ‘a whole new reading experience’. That experience was my first encounter with the tome A Humument by the incredibly talented and renowned artist,  Tom Phillips. You just have to check out his drawings amongst other delights, quite sublime!

So, I noticed my continuation of doodling with a scalpel, a method that allows me to draw without my usual anxiety of  ‘not being able to draw’. The outcomes are often abstract, graphical and full of expression. I will of course post examples of these soon. For some reason, I am not quite ready to share these just yet?

Well, the scalpel did just run, and this process I began to apply to my books. I noticed how easy I journeyed from one part of the page to another, realising that this was enabling me to be a little less concerned about the context of the work and more interested in the process.

The other joy, is that now I am keen as mustard to be in the studio, no matter how cold and quiet it is!

Bring on the books!

Streams-of-consciousness-01 Jo Howe Book Arts Book Sculpture artist
Streams of consciousness
I-Baii-Tit-Tat-T Jo Howe Book Arts Book Sculpture artist
I Bait Tit Tat – T