i discovered these remarkable books published by tara books tonight at the hammer museum in los angeles. i went to an opening for the artist paul thek but spent just as much time flipping through books. i had picked my lovely friend up from the airport the previous day and as a thank you she got me this book, i like cats by anushka ravishankar & various artists, along with the night life of trees as a thank you. if this is the payment i will be picking her up every time she comes to los angeles! (not that i wouldn't anyway!)
featuring a gallery of "irresistible feline characters from some of the best-known tribal & folk artists of india," i like cats succeeds in bringing together the quality of a hand made product with the accessibility of a widely available book. the books come from tara books, an independent publisher based in chennai, south india in a workshop that is run on fair trade practices - the workers live together as a community. and seriously affordable for the quality! each page really is an individual work of art. each book has been screenprinted, typeset, bound & stitched by hand. AND the hardcover limited edition comes with a framable, removable screen print in the back. i wish i could show you the texture of the pages and the paint that sits on top of the page.....so incredibly beautiful.
i LOVE books. beyond most material things i am a book coveter...and these books are truly amazing works of art and i hope to share more with you.