Rescued texts, totemic books, reliquaries.
“I imagine a future where these books are rescued and found to contain scraps of wisdom and direction from our age. In this future the materials we currently throw away have become recognised as precious, and the discovered texts are interpreted as vehicles into the old times. They are meant to be held in the hand as something sacred and unexpected.”
The books are made using throwaway materials repurposed to be valuable. The totemic parts are chosen to add layers of extra meaning and to allow the imagination to get to work. Each book allows for new solutions to working with the materials at hand, and solving the puzzle of making, binding and adding totems. Many of the materials are from old projects and explorations, rescued jewellery, and so on. The words are written in one long stream and as they come, without editing or preplanning. Each book explores a different philosophical topic and helps to organise thoughts in a kind of meditative state.
Being and Nothingness or Entropy and Organisation
reclaimed cardboard, paper, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, leather, silver, metal, glass, coconut shell and lava stone beads
21 × 33 × 2 cm
2023
£520
An exploration of two coexisting forces that remain in a constant dance of balance. The writing is half black on white paper and half white on black.
A Week of Emotions
reclaimed cardboard, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, vintage metal thread, porcelain, reclaimed metal cans.
24.5 × 28 × 4.5 cm
2021
£860
A visual illustration of a week of emotions, both night and day. The cover features free form writing on night, day and emotions, while the inner cover defines Entelechy and Quidity. The talismanic elements were also made by Jo.
One side reads day to night then turn it over to read from night to day.
Is That Wise?
reclaimed cardboard, reclaimed paper (IKEA instructions), acrylic paint, acrylic pens, vintage metal thread, copper wire, glass, silver and shell reclaimed beads.
14 × 10 × 1 cm
thread and beads: 18cm
2021
£360
Also known as The Little Book Of Wisdom, this book questions what wisdom is, and how to apply it.
First Book
reclaimed cardboard, acrylic paint, acrylic pens
23 × 26 × 3 (folded)
2021
£450
This piece features a dark side and a bright side. the writing explores creativity, emotion, and the lived experience of day and night. The writing covers every part of the book which has no cover.
It can be folded in many different ways, including propped up (see images above for examples).
Something
Reclaimed cardboard, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, leather thong, metal beads
7 × 10 × 3 cm
2023
£220
A book about exquisite moments and their purpose. The test flows across the left side of each spread while the right side focuses on an action of experience. This book has no cover and the simplest binding of all my books..
The Place Where I Live / Home
Reclaimed cardboard, paper, silk and tape, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, reclaimed tape, semiprecious stones, silver wire, feathers and vintage metal thread
12.5 × 15 (30 including feathers) × 2 cm
2024
£600
The inside leaves of the book are made from sheets of paper addressed to me. Each one has found me at the place where I live. The book explores the concept of home, from our bodies, to our houses to our planet and beyond. It features a special binding with pearls and shell at the very centre, and beads and feathers on the outside.
Belonging
Reclaimed cardboard, paper and beads, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, vintage embroidery wool, glass, silver porcelain, wood, glass and metal beads
Book: 8 × 17 × 1 cm
Strings of beads: 15 cm
2025
£620
A book about what it means to belong, to our bodies, to our planet, to ourselves and each other. The topic is further explored in my upcoming art cauldron of the same name.
Things The Trees Have Told Me
Reclaimed cardboard, acrylic paint, acrylic pens, paper, threads, jute string, metal and glass beads, feather, driftwood, shells
10 × 35 × 4 cm (book and all pieces inside envelope)
2021
£740
Made and written in my Irish studio, this deconstructed book contains separate elements. It has an envelope rather than a cover and is unwrapped rather than opened. The painted driftwood comes from an earlier series of Talismanic Sticks.