Artwork copyright Alexandra Soteriou. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2012.

Fading Universe, 1984

Alexandra Soteriou
(American, born 1948)

Location: North Mason District Office, Belfair

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Fading Universe is part of artist Alexandra Soteriou's "Rondel Series" of unique cast-paper artworks. She created this piece from hand-made linen paper at her studio, Atelier du Livre, in New Jersey. She notes that the imagery suggests "constant flux, the creation and dissolution of matter and life, the formation of the cosmos." Sections of a 2nd century Buddhist "stupa" shrine in Bharhut, India inspired her imagery.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with North Mason School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist and anthropologist Alexandra Soteriou creates handmade paper sculptures and fine art books. She apprenticed with papermaker Douglass Howell and studied bookbinding and book arts at the Center for Book Arts in New York City. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social anthropology from the University of Kentucky in 1970. She founded Atelier du Livre, a New Jersey-based studio specializing in book binding, book and paper restoration, and book arts production. In 1984 she received a grant through the Smithsonian Institution and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars to document papermaking in India. She continued this work in India for over thirteen years.