Books feature twice within this piece; once hanging from the wall and secondly stacked upon the shelf below the table. As this piece aimed to capture my whole practice, I felt it important to highlight books that I had read which had impacted my work.
The first book that may be noticed within this piece is my personal copy of Malleus Maleficarum. Originally published in 1486 this book acted as a guide on how to persecute witches. Those charged with Witchcraft were often hung and then burnt at the stake once dead. I felt as though the book should be punished in the same way it suggested punishing witches, but in this case for crimes AGAINST magic.
The second set of books that feature were ones that had impacted my art practice and knowledge throughout studio 3. I wanted the piece to feel similar to my studio space where I have a selection of books lying around.
Books featured in ARTIST’S STUDIO//WITCH’S ALTAR:
1. ‘The Malleus Maleficarum’ By Heinrich Kramer (Edited and translated by Peter Maxwell-Stuart)
2. ‘Looking for a Sign: Contemporary Art, Magic and Language’ Edited by Kerry Guinan
3. ‘Documents of Contemporary Art: MAGIC’ Edited by Jamie Sutcliffe
4. ‘Witchcraft in the Middle Ages’ By Jeffrey Burton Russell5. ‘The Witchcraft Reader (Second Edition)’ Edited by Darren Oldbridge