Lisa Kokin
Lisa’s fascinating work revolves around re-occurring themes we can all identify with such as loss, rescuing of memory, cultural and sexual identity and a critique of social values.
These are ‘pakaged’ in a variety of ways including, mixed media books, altered books, sewn, found photographs, sculptures and button works.
I particularly like the pieces using books, which she stitches, collages, layers and digs in to produce gorgeous aesthetic artworks, which evoke feelings and memories for me with their intriguing array of mixed media imagery.
New works, not yet on her web site and from her last exhibition at the Donna Seager Gallery in San Rafael, California, are more sculptural ‘art books’ or ‘reassembled books’ as Lisa herself calls them. Catalogues can be purchased by contacting the Gallery.
I am in awe of her imagination and creativity in turning a humble rectangular book into a passionate work of art involving many meticulous processes and statements about issues affecting many of us. It is easy to smile at the humour within these pieces, where she articulates her messages. 
To see and read more about Lisa’s fascinating work see: http://www.lisakokin.com/Jennifer Khoshbin
Jen’s beautiful and evocative work revolves around narratives; objects and symbols create meaning, both past and present and this is how she makes sense of things.
Jennifer’s work consists of ‘art books’ and sculptures. An avid reader, she delves into vintage books and by altering them explores their loss and recovery of meaning. By combining cut-outs with drawings and photographic images, she creates something more tangible, look at these:
To me these evoke nostalgia through her choice of subjects and meaning through her choice of word and imagery.
The circles or holes that she cuts have a quality which creates pleasure in looking; pleasure in seeing that one word at the bottom of that ‘pit’ like hole, like finding ‘treasure’ or a lost item at the bottom of your bag or in you pocket, and thinking about it’s meaning or memory. The word has been singled out or highlighted and I find this very intriguing and thought provoking.Purchase a book for yourself at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6229400
Other work includes, paper covered resin animal heads, birds and insects. Some of which were originally from a collaborative exhibition called ‘Off With Their Heads’. I would love to buy one of these stag heads! And just look at the little beetle!
Purchases can be made at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5501066To see more of her work see: http://www.jenkhoshbin.com/
Hope you enjoyed this post, I’ll be back in a few days, when hopefully I will have finished two new lamps I’m working on.
The whole thing is encased in a white soft sculpture display case made from leather and again, in the shape of a pumpkin.
Maybe we should all indulge in some creative play; a flickr friend who is doing exactly that is ‘oldflowers4me’.
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