SUSAN ALLIX [2]

Susan incorporates intaglio processes such as etching, aquatint, drypoint, carborundum, and surface roll with hand colouring. Of the eight images, one is a lino cut and the large letters of the title page have also been cut in lino. The prints are complicated, using multiple colours and separate plates, often inked ‘a la poupee’ with further hand work in watercolour and acrylic. The paper for the prints is J. Green  310gsm. mould made, bought from the mill before it closed many years ago.

Each of the eight openings is enclosed in a sheet of hand made paper that extends beyond the edges of the printed pages, acting as a frame to accentuate the colour and atmosphere of the spread. Most of these papers have been made especially for this book in the paper-making town of Sanganer in India. Their brightness, pattern and shine help to create, in their close proximity to one another, something of the confusion and exhilaration felt in a crowded bazaar.

 The whole is enclosed in a binding of silk, leather and painted paper over boards, with endpapers and doublures of hand made paper. The spine is leather with the silks and paper arranged on the boards, and the ‘floating’ headband is made to accommodate the variations in pages. The title is lettered in wide spacing in coloured foils on the front board. Each book is different in colour and design, and is enclosed in a dark blue cloth box. The book measures 55×42 cms. (58×44 cms. boxed), has 86 pages and is in a limited edition of 14 copies.