This series has been accumulating in the background for several years. I have a contact at the library who gifts me withdrawn books. I repurpose the covers and create alternative narrative possibilities through imagined books. These titles capture moments of daily life, observations, anxieties and minor irritations.
Collage and drawing on withdrawn library book cloth covers. Various sizes and mixed media.
“The process of withdrawing a book is to first make it unavailable on the library catalogue. Then the book is stamped ‘withdrawn’, and the barcode and spine shelf labels are crossed through using a permanent pen. Nothing is removed from the book, either branding or labels.” Undercover University Librarian
World Book Night 2025, Hosted by the Center of Fine Print Research, UWE, Bristol, UK.
Tell The Trees (Listen to the Trees)
WBN United Artists invite artists to read The Overstory by Richard Powers and make a piece of work in response to the book for an exhibition and mail art swap.
‘Handsaw’ by Jac Batey
Collage and drawing on withdrawn book cover
100mm x 175mm
Pale Ire Press 