Bessie Smith Moulton Book Artist

"Text" was created for an exhibit in Vilnius Lithuania, the 5th International Artist's Book Triennial 2009. I chose to interpret the given title with a box (6" x 7" x 3" D) covered with graffiti and containing 4 wooden scrolls, each with a different expression of "text": Braille (the word "text" repeated,) a Khipu (knotting of the ancient Incas,) a polished piece of wormwood, and a palimpsest typewriter ribbon from which all the words had been washed and the logo "text" typed on. In the bottom was an accordian-style book covered with black book cloth,

the inside covers made of handmade paper with letters suspended in the pulp,

each page represented one of the scrolls.

My Bio

My artist books explore a wide range of themes...many inspired by my travels. In some way they all investigate my main interest in origins: of words, religions, colors, foodways and many other things we often take for granted. Unlike many artists’ books, which have immediate impact on the viewer, my books ask to be read and pondered. They are intended to illuminate and inform but also to invite the reader into a greater mystery.

My education, background and experiences have led me to this ideal medium for personal expression:

1967 BS Psychology, Minor; Art, University of Maine, Orono, ME

1973 MS Art Ed, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA

1974-Present Studio art: Museum of Fine Arts School & Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA; University of

Southern Maine & Maine College of Art, Portland, ME

Art Therapist, Danvers State Hospital, Danvers, MA

Art teacher on secondary and college levels

Freelance graphic designer for over 25 years

Travel throughout Europe, Asia Minor, Saudi Emirates, North Africa, Egypt, Mexico, So. America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, US and Canada

My books are in the collections of museums, libraries and private collections internationally: Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Maine; Maine Women Writers Collection, Westbrook campus, University of New England; Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY; Smith College, Neilson Library, Northampton, MA; Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History & Culture, Duke University, Durham, NC; Scripps College, Denison Library, Claremont, CA; Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; The University of Denver Penrose Library, Denver, CO, Szent Istvan Kiraly Muzeum, Szekesfehervar, Hungary; Vilnius, Lithuania; The Library of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt; Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland; and National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian, Washington, DC.

92 Allen Avenue Ext. Falmouth, Maine 04105

207-781-5243