Peggy Johnston – Artist Statement

My love of paper and fascination with containers made it almost inevitable that I would discover the book arts. Since crafting my first books from handmade papers, I have explored book making as an art as well as a craft. I lean toward distinctive materials--old leather, metal, plastic other old books--in designing my one-of-a-kind works. The materials add a tactile aspect to the book. I love to search for just the right paper for a book. Other times, I’ll run across a paper that suggests a book project or design to me.

Closures or clasps hold a particular interest for me, too. I enjoy developing an intriguing closure for a book, often employing novel materials and found objects. A fanciful or extraordinary clasp can bring
a sense of privacy or an air of mystery to my work. It also adds a sense of anticipation and participation to the act of opening the book.

I focus on the book itself as an art object. The style of binding, the cover material, the pages, the shape, the closure--these are all elements of what I consider a functional piece of sculpture.

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