Judge a Book By Its Cover #14

Judge a Book By Its Cover #14
Hand-dipped mini hardback book
19x12cm
2020

‘As a diffusion range of Bradford’s famous dipped books, the ‘Judge A Book By Its Cover’ edition represents a chance to acquire an authentic and unique version of Bradford’s iconic series for your collection at a fraction of the price of his full-scale original works. The dipped books of ‘Judge a Book… ‘ are slightly smaller than your average paperback, and completely seal-in the book’s exact identity. A brand-new abstract narrative prevails, telling a tale of colour, process and chance. The black triangle at the bottom of each work is a comment about Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020, referencing the snipped corner of a defunct passport.

Shane says, “Made obsolete by repeat dippings in multi-coloured emulsions the book becomes a surface-only object. A linear narrative is replaced by curiosity, enigma and the uncomfortable unknowing of what’s inside. There are connotations of secret histories, hidden diary entries and even the legacy of the printing press. These ideas are mixed with the sheer enjoyment of a painted surface, akin to an Abstract Expressionist idea but on a miniature scale.”

AL 2024