Nicholas Jones

So, Nicholas, you cut up, fold, sew, and tear hardcover books to make artworks. Why?

The physical act of folding, tearing and sewing book leaves, may be considered iconoclastic (extinguishing the fire of reason, perhaps). Although sometimes iconised for their content or historical importance, more often than not, books are discarded as cultural detritus.

These transformed books I make aim to highlight the poetic nature of the book as form. As historical phenomena, books have reflected the evolution of mankind, and although besieged by new technologies, the book remains steadfastly both the solver of the riddle and the creator of the labyrinth.

What themes are recurring in your work?

My work looks at history, recycling, literature and the way we collect things. Mapping and finding our place in the world. By carving into a book or folding the pages, new stories can emerge.

What are you passionate about?

I have always been passionate about the democracy of information and the power of the written word. Searching through libraries and waiting for the ideas to fly off the page is a wonder!

What have been the highlights of your career?

Spending a year as a Creative Fellow at the State Library of Victoria was a dream come true! Having artwork included in many exhibitions in Australia and overseas is always so exciting as one never knows who will see your work.

Have your artworks, made of books, been shown in other published books?

Yes — quite a few! They include Book Art (Gestalten), Playing with Books (Quarry Books), Art Made from Books (Chronicle), Where They Create (Frame) and Craft Unbound (Craftsman House).

Haven’t I seen you before?

I am a bit of a flaneur who wanders around Melbourne looking for interesting and inspiring imagery. I have also been interviewed in the paper a few times.

What other jobs have you had?

I have done bits and bobs over the years, from working as a pot washer, to making coffee and decorating shop windows, but teaching has been a constant.

Where were you born?

I was born in West London, but have lived in Melbourne since I was two years old.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Books are undergoing a change as the internet takes hold of information transfer, but the beauty and perfection of the book format cannot be challenged!