Therese Swift-Hahn
Ewing, New Jersey

As a professional calligrapher and textile artist, Therese Swift-Hahn finds the book a perfect conveyance to weave together tactile, visual stories using calligraphic mark making, hand-made papers, and other textile materials. "I'm inspired by the rich lineage of people in our human history who laid the groundwork in the ancient arts of textiles, paper making, and pottery. The place where necessity and resourcefulness meet the pure joy of making and boundless creativity is magic to me; and what moves me most is the spirit of the makers infused in and reflected by their works. I hope to engage others in that spirit."

Website: bellascrittura.com

Shigaraki Book

Shigaraki Book uses gestural calligraphy on papers hand-painted with homemade walnut and sumi to simulate the texture and surfaces of some of the old Shigaraki pottery from the famous medieval kilns. The book is bound with linen thread using a modified long stitch/woven binding and a pre-Columbian, clay drop spindle whorl. The calligraphic text is composed of words taken from a poetic description by Akira Kurosawa of Shigaraki pottery from the medieval period.
Paper, ink, linen, clay.
5.5 x 6.25 x 1.5 inches; 14 x 16 x 3 centimeters. Created 2014.