We like.....Su Blackwell

"A passion for paper" is our strapline, so we are always on the look out for artists and designers who share our enthusiasm for book-art of all kinds. We just love beautiful books and journals, fine quality paper and stunning graphic designs. 

Alice, A Mad Tea Party

When we came across the work of English artist Su Blackwell we were overwhelmed by what she could create just using paper as a medium for sculpted book-art. Woodland scenes, children, birds and castles all take shape and spring lifelike from the pages of her book sculptures.

Birds, Beasts and Fishes

Her work is inspired by her childhood, much of which was spent playing in the woodland around her Sheffield home, surrounded by trees that she named for protection. It was not until she happened on a Textiles course that she found her inspiration, going on to study for an MA in Textiles at London's Royal College of Art.

The Secret Garden

Her paper sculptures began after a visit to Thailand, where she bought a second-hand book aand, using a craft knife cut from it the moths, representing lovers' souls, that formed her first paper sculpture, The Quiet American.

The Quiet American

Much of her work is derived from the world of fairy tales and folklore. She begins by reading the book until an idea takes shape which she cuts and glues into a paper sculpted reality, a process she describes as "tediously slow". Here, in her blog, Su describes the process.

”I often work within the realm of fairy-tales and folk-lore. I began making a series of book-sculpture, cutting-out images from old books to create three-dimensional diorama’s, and displaying them inside wooden boxes”.
”For the cut-out illustrations, I tend to lean towards young-girl characters, placing them in haunting, fragile settings, expressing the vulnerability of childhood, while also conveying a sense of childhood anxiety and wonder. There is a quiet melancholy in the work, depicted in the material used, and choice of subtle colour.”

Now based in London, Su published an illustrated book of fairy tales ‘The Fairytale Princess’, written by Wendy Jones, and published by Thames & Hudson in October of 2012.                                                                                                     

Su has also turned her hand to larger scale works, using similar techniques and inspiration to create a series of theatrical sets.

Set-design for 'The Snow Queen' , Rose Theatre, Kingston, 2011

 Another stunning series of works was installed in 2010 at the Bronte's Haworth Parsonage.

The Children's Study (details). Installation at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth, 2010

We  are keen to see what else is on the horizon from Su, and hope we can get the chance to see her work in person at some time. In the meantime I'll sign off with a few of my personal favourites. I love the fairytale feel of this piece.

2008, The Castle

The Little Prince, 2012

2009, Edensor, Derbyshire, A Guide to

But this is the piece I keep coming back to, a beautifully detailed explosion of wild flowers that just erupt from the page in a blaze of colour and form.

Nature in Britain, 2012

You can see more of Su Blackwell's work on her blog and  here at her website