Allison Cooke Brown ~ Maine

Cuff: Sewing Lessons
By Allison Cooke Brown
Yarmouth, Maine: Allison Cooke Brown, 2008. Edition of 3.

5.5 x 6 x 1.5" gathered pages. Wrist-cuff structure. Laser printed paper pages. Hinged sterling silver wire with silk and pellon fabric. Hand-made button and cord closure.

Allison Cooke Brown: "I came across an old 1940's Singer Sewing Book that describes in great detail the many rules of sewing, both in the sewing itself as well as in the conduct for the woman who sews. On these pages are reproductions of specific excerpts that offer a glimpse into this domestic world. Separate inside pages have reproductions of the many sewing diagrams found throughout the book. "
$575

Cuff: Sugar and Spice
By Allison Cooke Brown
Yarmouth, Maine: Allison Cooke Brown, 2008. Edition of 3.

6.5 x 6 x 1.5" gathered pages. Wrist-cuff structure. 100 alphabetized words laser printed onto paper pages. Hinged sterling silver wire with organza, pellon, and silver beads. Ribbon tie closure.

Allison Cooke Brown: "I've identified 100 labels which women are called, some favorable ('beauty,' 'damsel,' 'sweetheart' etc) and others derogatory ('cow,' 'old maid,' 'witch' and worse). The words are alphabetized on the front side of each page, and the back side has a printed floral design."
$475

Hold
By Allison Cooke Brown
2005. Edition of 6.

3.75 x 4 x 5.5" paste paper covered box ("Whitman's Sampler" design) holding 36 vintage glassine envelopes each containing a word hand cross stitched on cloth with red cotton thread. Each word is a definition of "hold". Cross stitched label on paper. Paper covered interior walls. Box construction by Scott Mullenberg.

Allison Cooke Brown: "Looking at the glassine envelopes holding my father's boxed collection of categorized postage stamps caused me to think about the many words that can mean 'containment'. I found 36 different definitions, cross stitched them in the old sampler style and put each in one of his envelopes. Each has its own distinct connotation to me or the reader, but combining two of them yields some surprising or disturbing results such as embrace/protect or believe/control."
$675

Word Play
By Allison Cooke Brown
2005. Edition of 8.

3.5 x 4.75 x 5.75" box containing 218 glassine envelopes, each holding a different verb laser printed in black (positive attributes) or red (negative attributes) upon paper. Box covered by bookcloth with paper covered walls inside. Collaged label of assorted papers. Bone closure. Box construction by Scott Mullenberg.

Allison Cooke Brown: "Inspired by boxes of my father's old categorized and organized postage stamps in their glassine envelopes, I've used his old envelopes to file 218 everyday things that I do, including some that I'm a little ashamed of. Although the words are personal, they can also be universal thoughts and actions. Picking up one or a combination of words will cause the reader to bring his own experiences to the word connections that can be thought provoking or humorous. The permutations are endless."
$675

Core Sample
By Allison Cooke Brown
2003. Edition of 5.

5 x 4.25" closed; opens to 8.5" circle. Double star book with slipcase. Coptic binding book with Xerox lithography, hand and machine made papers, paste paper, and punched label.

Allison Cooke Brown: "I think that many of us have scars embedded inside us. I tried to imitate the scanning of a woman's body through her clothing, to the insides and then back out the other side. The book is meant to paginate fast, or to be displayed opened to 360 degrees, imitating a "core sample."
$450

Spine
By Allison Cooke Brown
2003. Edition of 2.

10.5 x 6 x 1.25" closed. Opens 360 degrees. Coptic binding. pages and hinges printed by Xerox lithography of a ribcage and artist's writings, all in red. Linen cover with typeset label.

Allison Cooke Brown is interested in investigating the territory of body and thought. Much of her work reflects her past struggles with breast cancer.

Allison Cooke Brown: "Aside from the pun of "spine" in a book format, I wanted to have my thoughts running along the surface of an interior of a torso. The book can be displayed open, 360 degrees to imitate the roundness of a body; but it also can be read as a narrative, since the writing can be read line by line, and which discusses questions of identity of who I am."
$525