Preview
Artist's Statement
These two handmade books were created in a bookmaking course, inspired by the myth and history of the American West. Crafted using book board, decorative paper, thread, and leather, each book tells a unique story through its materials and design.
One book features earth-toned patterns and organic, flowing designs, representing the cowboy. It reflects a quiet strength and a deep connection to the land, highlighting the cowboy not just as a lone drifter, but as a figure shaped by nature and survival.
The second book, bound in rich green leather with bold stitching and structured form, honors Native American culture. Its construction evokes resilience, tradition, and identity, an homage to a people whose presence and power remain central to the Western landscape.
Together, these books offer a dialogue between two powerful archetypes of the West. Through the physical process of binding and crafting, this project became a way to explore history, myth, and storytelling through form.
Dimensions
17" x 19" x 2"
Year created
5-2024
Rights
© The Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Vandike, Briana, "Bound By the West" (2024). SACAD: Creative Activities. 69.
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad_art/69
