Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Three-Dimensional Narratives Spring from Antique Books in Emma Taylor’s Meticulous Paper Sculptures

A sculpture of a ship made from an atlas.

“Sailing the Seven Seas.” All images © Emma Taylor, shared with permission

From the pages of history books, novels, and atlases, Cambridgeshire-based artist Emma Taylor (previously) unfurls the written word into three-dimensional narratives. In one work titled “Sailing the Seven Seas,” a wooden ship glides over rippling pages. Others feature a woodpecker knocking at the side of Bird Life and Bird Lore or a tiny mouse curling up for a nap with Beatrix Potter. Using materials from vintage world maps to The Lore of the Falcon, the artist constructs paper sculptures in painstaking detail, which appear to surface organically from the contents.

During the past few years, Taylor has experimented with different ways to position each copy, focusing on a variety of arrangements and expanding her earlier emphasis on building upward from an open spread. More valuable titles with colorful cloth covers form the basis for pieces, while others are deconstructed, reassembled, and given a new chapter. “I spend hours scouring antique shops, market stalls, and online bookstores in order to source topical books, typically dating to the first half of the 20th century,” she says. “I instantly know the right book, as I can picture the sculpture as if it has been laying dormant, just waiting to be given form.”

Taylor recently showed some of the work you see here at Byard Art in Cambridge, and you can find more on her website or Instagram, where she shares updates and insights into her process.

 

A sculpture of a woodpecker on the side of books about birds.

“Drumming of the Woodpecker”

A book sculpture of a tree.

“From Little Acorns”

A book sculpture of insects on a stack of books about insects.

“The Fascination of Insects”

A book sculpture of a robin and a nest of eggs.

“The Robin’s Nest”

Detail of a book sculpture of a robin and a nest of eggs.

Detail of “The Robin’s Nest”

A book sculpture of St. Paul's Cathedral.

“The Architect of St. Paul’s”

A book sculpture of a mouse curled up in a nest.

“Mouse Tales”

A book sculpture of two birds.

“Water Music (Great Crested Grebes)”

A book sculpture of a bird of prey landing on a stack of books.

“The Art of Falconry”

A book sculpture of a lion leaping out of an open book.

“Hear Their Roar”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Three-Dimensional Narratives Spring from Antique Books in Emma Taylor’s Meticulous Paper Sculptures appeared first on Colossal.



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