Bonnie Stahlecker
Story-telling, in one form or another, is a common theme for these pieces. Most of the stories are mental tales, as told to ourselves, mostly for self-comfort.
When I first started using cuir-bouilli or wet-formed leather I quickly realized that the forms I was making were like vessels with both an outside surface and a hollow inner part. The series The Story Within which is about the narratives we are fond of telling ourselves, about our natures. We hold onto the stories, written on the pages of treasured books inside us.
The boat shapes are more vessels. The story turned into a journey of hope. The two pieces, Unmoored and Afloat, while able to transport, are still are taking on water, indicated by the wavy paper.
'Afloat', Cuir-bouilli formed embossed leather, crinkled paste paper, Lokta Metallic Gold paper, wood, brass strips, tacks, linen thread, 16.5" x 6 x 4.5" (without base), $3000
'Promissory Boat No 1', Cuir-bouilli formed embossed leather, wool wrapped stone, cord, 7.5" x 4 x 1.5", $750
'Promissory Boat No 5', Cuir-bouilli formed embossed leather, paper-wrapped wood, brads, 11.5" x 4 x 2", $750
'Promissory Boat No 7 ', Cuir-bouilli formed embossed leather, glass lens, text, thread 8" x 2.5" x 2", $750
'The Story Within: Desire', Cuir-bouilli formed leather, gold paint, handmade paper, linen thread, 20" x 7" x 3.5", $1600
'The Story Within: Desire- Detail', Cuir-bouilli formed leather, gold paint, handmade paper, linen thread, 20" x 7" x 3.5", $1600
'Unmoored', Cuir-bouilli formed leather, crinkled paste paper, Tea chest Gold paper, wood, brass rod, linen thread 21.5" x 6.5" x 3.5" (without base), $3000
'The Story Within: Heroism', Cuir-bouilli formed leather, bronze tacks, Thai reversible paper 19.5" x 7.5" x 2.5", $1600
'Unmoored- Detail', Cuir-bouilli formed leather, crinkled paste paper, Tea chest Gold paper, wood, brass rod, linen thread 21.5" x 6.5" x 3.5" (without base), $3000