Artist: Toba Shapiro
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After graduating from The University of Toronto with an honours degree in Fine Art I taught visual arts for more than twenty-five years at the secondary school level. Upon retiring I had a chance to explore an area new to me, the relationship of art and the book. Not knowing where it would lead, I felt this would allow me to use techniques I had studied including, printmaking, drawing and calligraphy as well as my background in art history. I am an instructor with The Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild. My work can be found in private collections and the Special Collections Section of the Toronto Public Library.
The book as object has always appealed to me, as much as the story or information carried within. Both the feel and look of the outside attract me, even without the dust jacket. The thickness of the paper and how the pages are cut add to the overall impact. To me those with a deckle edge are the richest. The texture and denseness of the text on the page, size of the gutters and choice and placement of page and chapter numbers are all captivating elements of books.
A book's small scale makes it personal. Reading is a private activity and the covers create a box which make the book a secretive object. Found containers act as inspiration for my books which are ultimately enclosed within these treasures.
The book form allows me to continue experimenting with media and mark making to express myself.