The Handmade Artist’s Book: Envisioning Form & Content

Join lens-based artist Susan kae Grant in the ambiance of Santa Fe to tap into your memory, personal insight, and intuition to design and create a handmade book of your photographs that symbolically balances form and content.

Blending traditional and contemporary practice, Susan introduces you to the genre of photographic artists’ books that are as diverse in style and direction as they are in technique. This workshop is open to participants with a new photo book idea or existing works-in-progress interested in mastering the basics of making books by hand. No prior bookmaking experience is required.

Each day, we are greeted to a grand display of original artist’s books that inspire and illustrate strategies for design, sequence, and structure. The hands-on experience of interacting with and discussing displayed books provides a glimpse into innovative ways to use photographs and text to communicate ideas.

Mornings consist of lectures, demos, guided writings, and a one-hour lunch break. To visualize intent, design and sequence, Susan presents a guided writing exercise focused on photographs participants bring to the workshop. To facilitate creativity and materiality she shares 30+ techniques to physically incorporate images and text into handmade books including the DASS image transfer process. Hands-on demonstrations include the technical execution of three bookbinding structures including the Pamphlet; the Concertina Hybrid; the French link-kettle and options for fabricating soft and hard covers.  Afternoons include immersive studio time to contemplate and experiment with design and fabrication of your own books with Susan present for feedback.

Alongside other participants, you share ideas, design, and create a handmade book of your photographs or mock-up utilizing techniques and binding styles demonstrated in class. The last day culminates with an extended discussion of resources for production and inspiration. We conclude with group reflections and feedback of the handmade books created during the week.