Dun Pelder
Artist Book, handmade plant fibre paper, etching, photocopies. Made in 1988, by Elsie Mitchell.
This handmade paper book consists of a sequence of maps - dating from 1654 to the 1980's - of an area in Coatbridge, Scotland. These are followed by a sequence of papers handmade from plants growing in the same location as the maps. Each paper is stained with the name of the plant that it was made from. Together they are intended to form a concrete poem. The book is titled with the place name changes made over time - Dun Pelder, Drumpendare, Dunpelder, Drumpendare, Drumpellar, Drumpellier.
The maps focus on a green belt area between Coatbridge and Glasgow. Most of this area forms the smallest country park in Scotland. I chose a fragile medium on which to print the maps as the green belt area itself is fragile and vulnerable to changes in urban planning policy. The maps tell the history of the place; illustrate the land use changes which have shaped the town and give an indication through prominent symbols of who had power during the various centuries - church>tobacco lord>factory owner>government. The papers form a mental map of the area. From the varying names and list of locations the viewer can build a present day picture of the land.
This book was part of my degree show at Glasgow School of Art. It explores the area where I grew up. Looking back now much of this part of Coatbridge has been developed into housing. Thankfully, Drumpellier Country Park remains a much needed green space within a very urban area.
I went onto to exhibit Dun Pelder at 'Aram Designs Graduate Show 1988', London; 'Books and Editions with Artists' Graeme Murray Gallery, Edinburgh in 1988; and at Drumpellier Country Park Visitor Centre where it was on permanent display for a number of years. It can now be viewed on request here at Mangurstadh Gallery.
Artist Book, handmade plant fibre paper, etching, photocopies. Made in 1988, by Elsie Mitchell.
This handmade paper book consists of a sequence of maps - dating from 1654 to the 1980's - of an area in Coatbridge, Scotland. These are followed by a sequence of papers handmade from plants growing in the same location as the maps. Each paper is stained with the name of the plant that it was made from. Together they are intended to form a concrete poem. The book is titled with the place name changes made over time - Dun Pelder, Drumpendare, Dunpelder, Drumpendare, Drumpellar, Drumpellier.
The maps focus on a green belt area between Coatbridge and Glasgow. Most of this area forms the smallest country park in Scotland. I chose a fragile medium on which to print the maps as the green belt area itself is fragile and vulnerable to changes in urban planning policy. The maps tell the history of the place; illustrate the land use changes which have shaped the town and give an indication through prominent symbols of who had power during the various centuries - church>tobacco lord>factory owner>government. The papers form a mental map of the area. From the varying names and list of locations the viewer can build a present day picture of the land.
This book was part of my degree show at Glasgow School of Art. It explores the area where I grew up. Looking back now much of this part of Coatbridge has been developed into housing. Thankfully, Drumpellier Country Park remains a much needed green space within a very urban area.
I went onto to exhibit Dun Pelder at 'Aram Designs Graduate Show 1988', London; 'Books and Editions with Artists' Graeme Murray Gallery, Edinburgh in 1988; and at Drumpellier Country Park Visitor Centre where it was on permanent display for a number of years. It can now be viewed on request here at Mangurstadh Gallery.