“One long-blooming stalk casts patience, petals, shadow, in the summer sun.” This beautiful haiku begins the book, Orchid Days by Kathryn Leonard. The artist pays homage to a single stalk of orchids and reflects on all the qualities orchids symbolize: serenity, luxury, beauty, refinement and delicacy. Leonard’s accordion book unfolds like a Japanese screen to display the orchid stalk and its blooms. |
The images, made from digital photo reproductions by the artist of actual dried flowers and collaged specialty papers, have an impression of sculptural dimensionality. The entire book – text, images and binding – possesses a refinement and delicate beauty equal to its subject. |
Orchid Days is a contemplative book whose meticulous and subtle imagery might bring to mind a finely-constructed kimono, a prized object that might be given as gift to a loved one on return from a trip to Japan. |
Orchid Days
Kathryn Leonard
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