Joy Campbell - book artist

Artist Statement:

An altered book is a form of mixed media art work that changes a book from its original form into a different form, altering its meaning. As a book artist, I take a book (old, recycled, or discarded) and cut, tear, fold, burn, drill, glue, or paint it.  I will change the shape of the book, sculpt it usually by folding pages and may use multiple books in the creation of the finished piece of art.  My purpose in altering books is to take a structure that has been discarded or is headed to a land fill and give it new life.  The original book structure may have deteriorated to the extent that it is no longer useable as a book.  I like the idea of taking a broken structure and transforming it or recycling it into something beautiful, an altered book/art piece.

Book art is my primary interest ranging from intricate and unusual bindings to altered, sculptured books.  I use a variety of materials:  paper, leather, metal, wood, and organic substances.  Text in my books is varied: pen and ink drawings, watercolor, sumi-e, calligraphy, transferred photo images, found objects, and polymer clay.  I am an active member of the Book Art Group (BAG) in Santa Fe where the members explore innovative ways to make books and encourage each other to go beyond the conventional interpretation of what defines a book.

My work has been exhibited in galleries in Albuquerque, NM, Santa Fe, NM, Durango, CO, and Portland, OR. An image of one of my art books is in the Lark Books publication, 500 Handmade Books which was published this year, 2008.

"Whirligig," a sculptural altered book of mine has been accepted for exhibition in the Hubbard Bienniale Grande contemporary art show in Ruidoso, NM. The opening of the show will be January 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and will run through April 11, 2010. In 2010, "Whirligig" received an Honorable Mention in the Biennale Contemporary Exhibition held at the Hubbard Museum of The American West in Ruidoso, NM.

Joy will be the featured artist at Artistas de Santa Fe Gallery from June 2nd to June 22nd. An opening reception is held at the gallery, 228B Old Santa Fe Trail from 5-7pm on June 4th. The theme of her exhibition is "The Book as The Elegant Body: Book Art Couture." Pages of books and mixed media are transformed into seven dynamic sculptures depicting dresses and fashionable ball gowns displayed on various sizes of metal mannequin frames that are rich in fiber arts, book arts, and couture traditions.