An Alphabet Book, 1979-81
16 "x 20" x 1.5", Limited Edition of 11
Cowhide, Letterpress, Silver-prints

Using satire and humor, An Alphabet Book attempts to make sense of an absurd and seemingly nonsensical world.  Grant's work is an alphabetical book of life, a visual alliteration of images that shock, entice, and surprise.  

Each book is bound in a tactile black, tan and white cowhide and is unique due to the variations of markings in the hides.  Depending on one's philosophical beliefs regarding animal welfare issues, the tactile surface of the book is evocative, or appalling, or both.

The sequence of pages employ Palatino Roman letterpress type on Strathmore paper and include a title page; an indexed list of images; and pre-visualized narrative photographs illustrating the letter on the facing page. 

The twenty-six 10" x 10" gelatin silver-prints were created on location and/or in the studio using models and props and are hand-tipped into each page of the book. 

From A to Z, the images range from the whimsical to the bizarre.  Each silver-print combines items whose identifiers start with the same letter of the alphabet.  For the letter  I- “Ironing in an Ice-skating rink with Ice skates on;" or, for the letter Z-  "Zoomorphic man covered with Zinc oxide”.  

At 16" x 20" the scale and weight of Grant’s, An Alphabet Book is substantial both physically and emotionally.  The playfully, ambiguous sensibility of the images, texts and materials correlates with the underlying emotional issues implied in the photographs.

Acquisitions: Contact Conduit Gallery
Exhibitions: Contact Susan kae Grant