Kirstin Demer
In The Moments of Memory, 2026
Handmade abaca/ cotton paper, pigmented pulp, wood, metal ring, ink, rivets 7" x 30" x 26"
Artists' Book created from Handmade Paper (abaca) made by the artist. Each piece of paper expresses a quiet softness through the pigmented fibers as well as how each sheet of paper was formed. The sculptural book is a presence of memories that have been formed and those that remain.
Kirstin Demer
The State of OUR Union, 2025
Vintage book, letterpress printed on penny coin wrappers, linen thread, paper 35" x 40" x 74"
"The State of OUR Union" is a reimagining of The American Patriot's Handbook. The vintage book now has reams of penny coin wrappers streaming out of the interior of the book. The design of the penny symbolizes the importance of American values, national identity and unity. A simple statement asks, "A penny for your thoughts", repeated over and over until becoming a chaotic disarray of confusion and entanglement. The words "thoughts" begin slowly disappearing at the end of the pages. The letterpress printed words reference the ability to reproduce text to allow information and ideas to spread easily throughout society. Our thoughts have value and contain power. Rejoining the conversation is crucial. Circulation and access to information is critical in the State of OUR Union.
Kirstin Demer
Wonderment – The Pursuit of Joy in the Age of Adulthood, 2026
Vintage children's books, paper, linen thread, leather cord, vintage child toy 6" x26"x22"
This Artists’ Book represents the longing for imaginative exploration, curiosity and the connections to childhood. The divisions of the current time leave me yearning for the simple wonderment of my youth. The vintage wooden toy represents a nostalgic object that is driven by play and imagination. The connecting Artists’ Book allows the viewer to be playfully immersed in the moment. The hand sewn book is created from vintage storybooks which allow for connections to childhood while also contemplating connections with one another. The book reminds us to see the world through the eyes of a child.
Kirstin Demer
Beneath the Surface, 2024
Wire, handmade paper abaca, pigment 16" x 16" x 16"
"Beneath the Surface" is a handmade artists' book exploring ideas that may lay beneath the surface - physically, spiritually and emotionally. Abaca fiber and wire. The thin translucent sheets of paper show of hint of what is happening beneath.
Kirstin Demer
The World We Live In, 2024
Vintage book, linen thread 1 1/2" x 60" x 1 1/2"
“The World We Live In” is a handmade artists’ book exploring themes of community and connection in relation to one another and the world that we inhabit. This work is created from a large vintage 1955 Life book filled with colorful images and text about the beauty and mystique of the world. Understanding our world is not a simple matter. Understanding how we can all live together in our world is even more complex.
Kirstin Demer
Reawakening, 2023
Handmade paper abaca, reed, pigment 50" x 27" x 20"
“Reawakening” expresses emotions of re-entering the world after the Covid-19 lockdown. The freeness of form of the sculptural piece reflects the openness of finally being able to reclaim life again. The sculpture was created using a reed structure while allowing for emotions to direct the final form of the piece. The work transcends a feeling of emerging and of renewal. Handmade paper invokes the feeling of hope through the lightness it creates. Pieces are missing, some are still intact yet all are fragile. Some aspects of life have been lost yet there is still lightness all around. Life continues.
