Ex Libris: Septimus Rex is an eclectic library of oddly shaped and mysterious books and objects collected by an imaginary king, Septimus Rex (full family tree found in Botany for Australian Students). The books and objects reside in an art form that utilizes and intertwines both visual art and literature referencing works such as Lorca’s writings on the nature of Duende and the mystical poetry and art of William Blake.

Each book is totally unique in format and materials and each completes the mythological conceits set up in the texts, which are of an autobiographical nature. Often dark but ultimately hopeful, the texts are heavily steeped in mysticism and symbolism, stories within stories, with text and illustration merging into one multilayered, intricate and intimate communication.

The materials used range from a wooden flower press to antique piano keys, from old bones and bird skulls to industrial graphite and rare black coral, not to mention books dating back to 1919 and have been collected throughout my travels of the last four years through India, Mexico and New York. Each piece is constructed and finished meticulously, utilizing techniques from jewellery making, gold smithing, sculpture, painting, sewing and bookbinding. Some books contain text and illustration, some contain only illustrations and others have been used more as sculptural material.

My hope is to complete the metaphor of an ethereal and mysterious library by increasing the volumes of books and objects and by creating an installation space where the reader/viewer can truly immerse themselves in both the intimacy of the minute detail of the work and the collective identity of the group as a whole.

A journey is chronicled in this library over books, techniques, material, art forms and metaphors because the nature of the storytelling requires that even the books themselves must become talismans and enchanted objects.

Open publication - Free publishing - More sculpture