SUSAN ALLIX, book artist. ~ Crocodile: two accounts with figures of that curious animal, drawn and engraved from nature.
No. 5 of 14 copies, signed by the artist. 7 extraordinary prints in etching, lino and archival inkjet by Susan Allix including intaglio prints with textural layers, one having some printing from a crocodile leather piece which inspired the book. The paper appears in different shapes and sizes creating a vibrant living book. Set in 12pt Gill and 24pt Gill Shadow and printed on Zerkall paper, white and green tinted, also Tosa Shi paper and moulded green and silver-dusted handmade Japanese paper. 24 x 17.5 cms. Oblong, bound in quarter patterned green leather dyed by the artist and extending in curves onto the boards which are covered in a J. Green paper which have been drawn and painted with zig-zags in black ink and printed with the title, with overlays of black crocodile on both sides which vary on each book, depending on the piece of leather. Housed in a deep green cloth covered box lined with paper to match the boards and finished with a crocodile and leather fastening.
Adapted from a book found by the artist in the British Library - The History and Description of the Crocodile by Mr Amable Michel of Dover Street, 1799 written to commemorate the Battle of the Nile with ‘Proposals for adopting the elegant Crocodile form in various Ornamental Curiosities’. Michel had a premises in 18 Dover St in Piccadilly where he sold his Crocodile ‘objects’. The second account used is by the artist called ‘A Lost Crocodile’.
The book came from a chance delivery of some remnants of crocodile leather from the artist’s leather supplier - it developed into a passion for the crocodile and research into how interwoven the crocodile is into our myths, stories and sacred symbols. Allix drew the crocodiles from life at the London Zoo and near Mumbai in India. Above all she has a desire for understanding of the animals which she believes ‘deserve attention, respect and an unmolested life’.
The 70th and most recent book by the Allix.