Strigaformes

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Artist: Alicia Bailey

Title: Strigaformes

Attribution: Strigaformes, 2024, Alicia Bailey

Year: 2024

Materials: Book: paper, small mammal bones, thread, yarn, wool, dyed cotton tape Box: book board, synthetic fabric, wood, hot foil, leather, paper, small mammal bones, plant specimens, cast acrylic

Dimensions: Closed (box): 11.25 x 9.5 x 1.8

Image Statement: A single sheet of paper that was made at the Morgan Paper Conservatory holds stitched text and, hidden on first glance, a selection of small bones extracted from owl pellets stitched in place. Housed in a bespoke box that forms part of the artwork.I recently realized that I haven't had any owl sightings in far too long, nor have I been able to add to my collection of owl pellets. The distinctive late night or early morning hoots of owls is only rarely heard. Such realizations can send me down a road of dismay and disconnect with the state of the world and my place in it. With the likelihood of being able to go to a previously abundant owl pellet collecting site diminishing, even disappearing, I'm compelled to share some of the tiny bits that so captivate me with others. This was a time consuming book to make. A wish to use materials that enhanced both the look and feel of the paper I started with turned me towards weaving and felting, so I had to learn about both of those techniques for working with fiber. The decision to use woven and felted fiber on the book case necessitated more experimentation, trial and error.