The title of this art booklet may initially strike the reader as depressing or daunting. However, the people telling their stories in this book face disease and its emotional aftermath honestly. As a cancer survivor myself, I found this inspiring and wanted to share it with others.

The Goal

When I make one-of-a-kind, handmade books, I use mostly archival materials and simple but standard hand-bookbinding techniques. These books are enjoyable to hold and peruse. Unfortunately, they are seen as precious objects by gallery staff, so they don't often get handled or carefully read. Plus they can only exist in one location at any given time. The art booklet Leviticus: contemplating illness, fear and shame was created in an edition of 1000 to be in the hands of lots of people. This artwork is not archival, but it is beautiful, accessible and affordable.

Production Process

Leviticus: contemplating illness, fear and shame is a transmutation of the original 1997 unique artist's book Leviticus. I built this new booklet in the computer from scans of the original, plus added elements. It was printed on a commercial full-color press, like the glossy brochures I produce for my graphic design clients. It's an experiment to see if I can fulfill an artistic goal - or at least tell a good story -- through mass marketing tools.

The Story

In an antique store in Colorado I came across some vintage postcards written in fountain pen ink with old postmarks. The images on the postcards were places I knew, so I bought them. Later I read the handwriting more carefully and realized that both correspondents were talking about serious illness, and their messages were very poignant. Even if you've never faced a potentially lethal disease, most of us have been sick enough at some point to hope fervently for cosmic mercy -- if only due to eating a bad slice of lunchmeat!

I wanted to present the vintage postcards in a way that allowed the correspondents to tell the story, and also allowed the reader to imagine these people and their lives. Because of what is revealed - and what is not -- we can wonder and imagine all kinds of possibilities. Thus the postcards start the story, and the reader can finish it or stay with the questions that remain.

Why Use Scripture if You're Not Religious?

I introduced passages from the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament because this scripture dwells extensively on the treatment of disease. I don't often use the Bible in my work, but I thought the postcards struck harmonious chords with it. In the Old Testament much disease is seen as impurity and possibly a punishment for wrongdoing, known or unknown. The prescribed treatments are generally elaborate rituals to effect spiritual cleansing and atonement.

I was struck by the parallels between the postcard writers' emotions and the fears being addressed in the scripture. We are afraid today of the same things we were afraid of thousands of years ago. There is a lesson in that, and I find it moving and enlightening. I feel strongly that scripture mirrors humanity. You can see what we're all about, even from ancient times. That's what makes scripture great literature -- not whether it's holy or fact-based. And that's also why reading other people's mail is fascinating.

I hope this statement helps more people enjoy the booklet. In the end, you still may not like the piece or understand it, but maybe you will pass it along to someone else who does!

Comments are always welcome. For copies of Leviticus: contemplating illness, fear and shame, please email the artist. This artist's book is free upon request.