In the Belly of the Beast by Vollum, Ann - 2011

South Orange, NJ: BeastlyBeasties' Books, 2011. Hardcover. SIGNED. First Edition. NEW. Artist's hand-bound, accordion-style book, hardcover, bound in burgundy cloth; full length, approximately 9 feet long; each panel 5.75 x 3.5 inches, 31 panels; closed size, 6 x 4.13 x 0.88 inches; opens up to about 9 feet in length. From an edition limited to 10 copies plus two artist's proofs, this being #3. Printed from the original drawings on Ivory Canson MiTients 58% cotton rag paper. SIGNED by the artist on the title page and numbered on the inside back cover. This clever and delightful book introduces a parade of "Beasties" that march across the 9-foot spread, gobbling up one another. Hand-drawn with pen in black and rich shades of brown ink, these fanciful, intricately patterned creatures are influenced by traditional African designs, familiar to the artist, Ann Vollum, from childhood. Open the accordion-folds to full length and you will see each "Beastie" and the meal in their belly. Close individual panels to create a new image of shortened versions of the "Beasties." BeastlyBeasties is the name of the studio of artist Ann Vollum. She's known for her delightful drawings of exotic imaginary critters, covered in intricate, tattoo-like designs. Born in what was then Rhodesia, in southern Africa, Vollum's pen-work references her earliest memories of indigenous tribal patterns. Vollum produces hand-bound artist's books, limited edition prints, t-shirts and various art-objects from her BeastlyBeastie drawings and designs.