Good books can create whole new worlds of imagination, but one artist is turning the physical books into worlds as well.
Montreal-based Guy Laramée creates sculptures out of old dictionaries and encyclopedias, or anything else a library visitor might walk past without a second glance. Most of his pieces are under a foot tall, but up close they contain grand vistas.
Laramée carves cavernous valleys, formidable peaks, and cascading hills into the sets of books. The detailed etchings are done via sandblasting.
With the books arranged in a variety of different ways, he glues them together with adhesives and applies layers of paints, inks, pastels, and crayons to provide color.
Not surprisingly, each piece, whether it’s a unique inspired or a commissioned work, takes several months to produce.
The artist has had his work featured in libraries, bookstores, and art museums across North America.
Laramée also creates paintings too. Represented by Foster-White, interested parties can learn more information or purchase one of Laramée’s sculptures on their website.
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