Encyclopedic Weathered Volumes
The American Educator Encyclopedia was first published in 1919. It was discontinued in 1977. This ten volume set of encyclopedias was used by Nanette’s partner in his youth from the mid 1960s to around 1978. In the late 90s Nanette turned the books into art objects, painting them pure white. After exhibiting them a few times she put them outside in the garden where they were left for several decades.At some point it was decided they reached an aesthetically pleasing degree of decay, needed rescue, and were brought indoors. In 2023 we determined it was time to document the books, thus, Encyclopedic Weathered Volumes was photographed to create this conceptual body of work.Series of 20 views presented as archival pigment prints on Arches in an edition of five each.
Contact the artist: nanwylde@preneo.org
Or see the artist’s website: preneo.org
Width: 24in
Nanette Wylde
I am a reflective thinker and maker whose studio work is a response to specific phenomena which are generally external to myself. The resultant work is interdisciplinary with a strong focus on narrative and storytelling.
My process often begins from an obsessive thought, as in trying to understand/make sense of a given phenomena; a string of words, perhaps similar to an ear worm; a concept, or concern which I attempt to satisfy with both research and making. My most recent works reflect on issues of sustainability, the history and practice of natural resource extraction, global mass extinctions, finding meaning, and discerning truth in today’s world. Although I work in the media best suited for a given project, I think of myself as a printmaker, and my process often results in artist books which include original text.
My interests include: language, personality, difference, beliefs, systems, ideas, movement, reflection, identity, perceptions, structures, stories, socialization, definitions, context, memory, experience, change, the natural world, and residue.
Email: nanwylde@preneo.org
Website: preneo.org
Instagram: nanwylde
