Monday 5 October 2015

standing on fishes .....


One of my most favourite pieces of prose/poetry ever.  I think I first came upon this on Leslie's blog though it is so locked in my heart I can't be quite sure.

Every now and then you make a piece of work that becomes 'the favourite piece you have ever made' and I think this is it for me.  It could be that I love the poem so much and hence love the book, but there is also magic that happened here.  I worked with pen and ink of some of my father's old architectural paper and magic happened.  At that point I did not know that this was to be the book I had longed to make for 'standing on fishes'.  The last image happened and as I looked at it once finished, I actually felt that sinking feeling as though standing on fishes.  I knew this book had been made, almost, dare I say it, made itself.


The deep parts of my life pour onward,
as if the river shores were opening out.
It seems that things are more like me now,
That I can see farther into paintings.
I feel closer to what language can't reach.
With my senses, as with birds, I climb
into the windy heaven, out of the oak,
in the ponds broken off from the sky
my falling sinks, as if standing on fishes. 



















This book is rather like Fiona's and my collaborative book 'Silence' in that it is quiet and meditative. Because I had made the images on film, I used layers of soft Japanese papers in between the pages.  The book is large as far as artists's book go - 52 cms wide by 36 cms.  It is covered in warm white Fabriano Tiepolo, gently embossed and stitched with Japanese stab binding.

The Exhibition is drawing closer every day and I am still finishing off a couple of 'bits'.  I am editioning a couple of my etching books and so will still set aside time to finish the editions.  Other than that I am feeling more in control which is a good feeling.

We are still waiting for the invitations to send out by PDF but the details for the exhibition can be found here on the Noosa Regional Gallery website.

The Opening is on Friday 23th October 2015 at 6pm and it runs through until December 6th.

Fiona and I are also doing an Artists' talk in the morning of October 31st and a workshop in the afternoon where we teach a coptic binding technique of making a book but spend most of our time in the workshop working on collaborative page.  We have a maximum of 12 participants six of whom will work with Fiona and six with me.





17 comments:

  1. Stunningly beautiful and haunting images. I so wish I could be at the gallery and see you exhibition and enrol in a workshop too.
    Will you be selling any of your work ?
    Love to you.

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    1. Thanks Diane. Teleporting would be a fine thing wouldn't it! All our work is for sale, and the collaborative collection of Fiona's and mine has already sold which is lovely as it means the Collection will stay together. My work is fairly pricy but I am editioning two of my artists's books - 'Tidings of Magpies' and 'Hunting and Gathering'. How you are finding time and energy to work. x

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  2. Oooooh! That poem also is one which is deep in me, and my eyes, my hands, my desire are stretching round the edge of the world to reach your studio, to dive ... to reach your pages. Despite the remoteness, something of me is there. Thank you for the glimpses.

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    1. Standing on Fishes touches those deep parts for those of us who respond to it. So glad you enjoyed these glimpses and thanks for reaching around the globe and leaving part of yourself here :-) A lovely warm feeling.

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  3. Stunning, no wonder it is a favourite book

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    1. Thanks Debbie. Tis a favourite but I am sure that it also has to do with the depth I feel about the poem.

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  4. oh gosh Susan, this has "the muchness" as the Mad Hatter said to Alice

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    1. I love it when you say something of mine has the 'muchness' about it. Thanks Mo.

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  5. It feels a bit like goose bumps this one - so very very stunning....

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    1. Goosebumps .... a lovely reaction to this book. Thanks F. x

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  6. It is a stunning work, Susan. Can't wait to see it in situ with all your (and Fiona's) other equally marvellous works at Noosa. How very exciting!!!

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    1. Thanks Robyn. Let us know when you are planning to head up and I will make sure (unless I am away which I am from 5th to 12th November) that I am there. Would be grand to organise to have lunch and a chat up at Noosa too. x

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    2. Fantastic, Susan. Look forward so very much to catching up. I shall definitely have to bring Helen and Jack as well! Will let you know when we've got a couple of dates.

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  7. Hi SB - You guys have put in so many hours and such creativity and produced such excellent works - so looking forward to seeing all of it come together in the exhibition. B

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  8. It must be a wonderful feeling to have before you "the favorite piece of work you have ever made," Susan...a truly magical coming together of words, materials, "legacy" + your own time, process, self. The results are simply gorgeous!
    Wonderful that you're feeling more on top of things now - good luck with the rest of your preparations.

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  9. Wonderful work Susan, can't wait to see it in the flesh before your exhibition finishes.

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  10. I too love this poem... and I really wish I could see this book in person... to touch it ---and I am sure I would 'covet' it too as it looks so lovely in your images

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I appreciate your comments - thank you!