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A Cabinet of Curiosities refers to scientific/natural history collections made by scholars, nobleman and wealthy merchants in the 17th centaury that were meant to express the collector?s erudition and wealth. The objects collected were of diverse subjects often of the natural world: sea-shells, insects in amber, fossils, skeletons of real (and factious) animals, but they also included jewelry, carved ivory, scientific instruments, spheres, clocks or musical instruments. I have long wanted to develop a book on the theme of these “cabinets” using the Wagner Free Institute as a resource. I was fortunate in being able to partner with the librarian of the Wagner in 07, and developed this work form the research I did on site. One copy available for purchase
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ASLEEP IN THE DEEP, is a story about evolution and the emergence of flowering plants upon the earth. The book reflects Owen?s interest in using events in the natural world as metaphors for the human experience. The images are relief etchings printed on Arches cover, with hand applied color. There are 23 images, 10 3/4 inches, a title page, introduction page, frontispiece piece and colophon leaf. The book is contained in a clamshell box, with granite Elephant Hide cover paper. The cover also has inlaid paper decorations and is gold stamped. ASLEEP IN THE DEEP was printed in an edition of 40, and is signed by the artist.
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In this work I have chosen to represent 14 animals, seven as “gods” and seven as demon based on how they are used in human folklore and symbolism. The pages fold into a triptych, the first page being having text that introduces the animal in their natural environment. The following two pages are meant t to represent the animal’s response to their place in human’s taxonomy.
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Owen uses four graphite drawings and an oil painting, which she scanned and printed digitally to illustrate the text. The painting is printed in color, using an Epson 1280 printer. The text is set in Monotype Erhardt by Michael Bixler of Skaneatles, New York. The titling is Palatino italic. The decorative initials are Cloister, printed in terracotta. The type was printed letterpress by Art Larson at Horton Tank Graphics, Hadley Massachusetts.
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This is a story about creative obsession, faith and the eventual lack of control an artist has over his or her creations. Gabriel's family tells of a stone cutter who created marvelous creatures in stone. These figures are filled with beauty and horror, but he comes to see them as part of his family, indeed, as a completion of himself. His close identity with them is threatened when his isolation is invaded. On this predicament the story turns.
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A contemporary interpretation of the St. Francis legend, the book has a narrative text and poem. Printed in brown and red, with nine photo-etchings, measuring 9 inches by 8 1/2 inches with 20 pages. Press work by Art Larson of Horton Tank Graphics. Hadley, MA. Bound by the artist in red silk blend with printed label. Printed in an edition of 30, signed by the artist.
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A Medieval book format used to explore the theme of night. Media is gouache on elephant hide paper, bound into a leather case that holds the folded pages. They measure 3” x 6” closed, and 8.5” x 6.5” open. Held in private collection.
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In a combination of woods and lino cuts, the artist tells the tale of a woman and a wolf that could be read as re-0telling of Little Red Riding Hood. Printed in two colors in the traditional Japanese method, the pages are held in a silk covered chemise. The book measures 8 inches by 8 inches. Printed in an edition of 50, signed by the artist.
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In this title Owen has developed an astronomical calendar for the last year of the last millennium, 1999. Using small star maps, and text that describes specific astrological events she records each month of the year. Overlaying these pages are quotes from scholars, poets and scripture that reflect the spiritual awe that study of the heavens can inspire. On each page following she uses hand marbled black paper as a backdrop for stenciled images of the month's prominent constellations.
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Pentimento is the first title by Turtle Island Press that uses exclusively electronic imaging. The book is a short collection of poems written by Owen in memory of her mother.
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A Medieval book format used to explore the theme of Rivers Media is gouache on elephant hide paper, bound into a leather case that holds the folded pages. They measure 3” x 6” closed, and 8.5” x 6.5” open. Held in private collection.
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This work is a collaboration with poet Beth Feldman Brandt who was inspired by The Herbal: or General history of plants”(1633) by John Gerard, that she studied in the Rare Book Collection of the Lendhardt Library of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Many of the plants attributes were defined by the four humors, which included the four elements, four ages of men, and the seasons. Owen made four paintings that embodied these notions, and used these images in the book.
