Connie Stricks
• Canson Mi-Tientes, Niyodo kozo paper, digital reproduction of poem, photographs, drawings, birch bark, willow branches, wire •
In John Haines’ poem, “In the Forest Without Leaves,” the birch tree— or even a single birch leaf—becomes a metaphor for the boreal forest. I find I often return to this poem as a poetic expression of my reverence and concern for the boreal forest. Few have known it better than Haines, who subsisted and lived an often solitary life within it. Written from 1977-84, this poem grew and changed over time, much like the forest itself. My artist book is an attempt to honor its insights and meditations.
The book’s structure is a concertina that expands and contracts and easily changes its shape, much like the forest. Haines’ poem is printed on one side, each of its 15 stanzas appearing on its own panel; on the reverse of each panel is a core image or metaphor of the stanza it backs. The sculptural casement that holds the book is curled birch bark with willow branch extensions. The book’s wrapper retains its space in the casement when the book is on display.
CONNIE STRICKS
Connie studied Art History with additional courses in metal smiting and book arts. She has worked with paper in various ways for over 30 years and been making book structures since being introduced to them by Margo Klass in 2009. She has given workshops at The Folk School, and Northwoods Book Arts Guild in Fairbanks and the Newport Paper and Book Arts Festival in OR. Her work has been in group and 2-person shows within Alaska and outside the State
