The Unbound Book of Compassion - finished

©2019 Barry Smith - Brushed back of one leaf of the unbound book on rusted typewriter

It was a good feeling today to finish The Unbound Book of Compassion for the Compassion: Artists' Book Exhibition. There is a lot happening on our block, and a laundry renovation as well, so lots of distractions and calls on one's time.

I really like this book - not only does it have great content; it also has a link to early unbound books particularly those used in meditation and chants; it has links with the book leaves that were made from palm leaf and other fibrous leaves; and it has links with small shallow sacred and meditation bowls that were-are held in the palm of the hand.

A few photos of the process follow.

©2019 Barry Smith - Hammered the back of the leaf form without destroying the stamped words on the other side

©2019 Barry Smith - Book leaves stamped and formed into shapes that fit the palm of one's hand

©2019 Barry Smith - Polishing the stamped side of the leaves to a brushed finish using a steel wire wheel

And then the finished book - photographed over at the shed and workbench.

©2019 Barry Smith - Brushed finished leaf in typewriter keys - marks from the anvil show on the stamped face of the leaves after they have been hammered on the back

©2019 Barry Smith - High polish on the hammered backs of the book leaves

©2019 Barry Smith - Detail of some of the points the book leaves stand on

©2019 Barry Smith - The Unbound Book of Compassion with a couple of pages 'open'.

©2019 Barry Smith - The Unbound Book of Compassion - the leaves nestling in the upturned position

©2019 Barry Smith - The Unbound Book of Compassion - the leaves nestling together on their side 

A good way to end a Friday.