![main center image](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e5de0d42c687c18ce21e5d2_ShapeofAbsence_900ppi.jpg)
EDITION SIZE: 25
MEDIA: letterpress, pressure print
PRESS: vandercook, 8 x 12 chandler & price
MATERIALS: printed on mulberry, bound in bugra
the Shape of Absence began with a phrase and a boy. Weeks of emotional trauma and rumination culminated into an artist's book describing the painful process of the end of a relationship.
![unfolding to reveal two of the six words](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e5de5123f2bf9c311d24c0a_Shape_Open-1.jpg)
![further unfolding to reveal the next two words](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e5de51a89e25b56c319240a_Shape_Open-2.jpg)
The pages turn and unfold to reveal the text and can be open so all text is visible at once.
![completely](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e5de52aafa1fe7e380f2733_Shape_FullOpen.jpg)
Completely letterpress printed on mulberry paper, the Shape of Absence was created with 40 passes through the press, including eight passes of pressure printing, 21 passes using hand-set metal type to create the main center image, and 11 passes of text, also hand-set. 891 pierced holes reinforce the pressure printed background image.
![setting up the first layer](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e6588c0bc2ae54841208cc7_IMG_0623.jpeg)
![after several layers are printed, type is laid out onto a mirror-image photocopy](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e6588db68556a47ca3e3c60_IMG_0639.jpeg)
![type is then transferred to the composing stick](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e658900098d4f684d88bf60_IMG_0630.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e657df264616e82cbacfafc_IMG_0696.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e657da1bc2ae50912204bba_IMG_0743.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e657dbe098d4f152187b9f7_IMG_0744.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e658b4b098d4ff0e388c6fa_IMG_0748.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e658ccc64616e7691adbff2_IMG_0767.jpeg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e658cf1bc2ae5cf1420bec6_IMG_0781_layer%2017.jpeg)
Pamphlet bound into a soft cover. Measures 3.5 x 4 inches when closed and 14.25 x 11.75 inches when fully open. Printed in both Petaluma, CA during a residency at In Cahoots Residency and completed in Seattle, WA in 2019. Limited edition of 25, $225 each. Please contact Lisa to purchase.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/53ea90cccf6ba7c144ec46c9/5e658dc3af40027642a788a2_IMG_0834.jpeg)