Francois du Plessis transforms old books into unique art objects by combining book spines, front and back covers, headbands and book cuts into fascinating sculptures and collage-like wall objects.
Image gallery
Francois du Plessis: about books and hidden books
Francois du Plessis: about books and hidden books
Francois du Plessis: about books and hidden books
Francois du Plessis: about books and hidden books
Each of these book works of art tells its own new "book story", which consists of different books, their material properties and the artistic composition. These stories go far beyond what meets the eye at first glance. For example, a book title on a spine may give a clue to its contents, but the actual stories, thoughts, emotions and experiences hidden in the book's pages remain hidden in Francois du Plessis' sculptures.
The coloring of his artworks is largely determined by the material used, which is influenced by his memories of his childhood on a farm in South Africa. There, the colorful dresses and jewelry of the Ndebele women in his hometown of Pretoria remind him of the color scale reflected in his sculptures. In addition, he is inspired by the endless diversity and aesthetics of nature, which he uses like a painter uses his sketchbook.
Many of his works resemble cross-sections of an ancient tree trunk and are a tribute to nature's works of art.
