Nancy Driesbach ~New Mexico

A Box of Memories
By Nancy Driesbach
Sante Fe, New Mexico: Nancy Driesbach, 2009. One-of-a-Kind.

9 x 7 x 2.5"; 12 paper alphabet blocks. The letters spell out the artist's maiden name. Inside each block are a small book and miniature objects relating a childhood memory.

Nancy Driesbach: "The book Memory Boxes, which I was tempted to call Memory Boxes, came into being as I searched for a way to capture some of my childhood memories. Among the toys I recalled were the classic alphabet blocks. I decided to make boxes that resembled those old blocks — one for each memory and one for each letter in my maiden name. I used my color printer to make the alphabet letters for the tops of the boxes and added childhood photos and line drawings to the sides. Into each of these boxes I placed a small book containing a memory (I used a variety of book forms), and an item or two that I had made or found related to the memory. I have always been fascinated by miniature things and had great fun making/collecting these treasures. The box that I made to hold the blocks is meant to resemble an old box of family photos —-unsorted and often unidentified, but containing lots of my family history."
$350

The Cloister
By Nancy Driesbach
Sante Fe, New Mexico: Nancy Driesbach, 2008. One-of-a-Kind.

3.25 x 9.5"; accordion of 16 panels with first and last panel attached to black foam core boards. Papercutting.

Nancy Driesbach: "I drew upon my memories of the two plus years I spent in the Carmelite monastery preparing for the monastic life. In the book I attempted to capture the simplicity, austerity, and purity of the life. I used the black color and the act of subtraction or cutting away to express the spirit of abnegation the life entails. Each of the symbols used represented a specific idea: the grid, the wall of separation from the world and worldly pursuits, the isolation of the life; the host and chalice, the Mass, a central part of monastic life; the pyramid of candles/vigil lights, continuous prayer; the cross, the penitential quality of the life; and the pointed arches, the longing of the soul for God."
$125

Seven Heavenly Signs
By Nancy Driesbach
Sante Fe, New Mexico: Nancy Driesbach, 2007. One-of-a-Kind.

3.75 x 3.5 x 4"; 14 unnumbered pages. Accordion structure with pockets. Each pocket contains a page of computer-generated text (about a constellation) printed on Strathmore pastel paper. The twenty-four puzzle pieces are painted on gessoed watercolor paper. Housed in blue box with half moon on top.

Introduction: "There are 88 universally recognized constellations. Not all of these are visible to us in the night sky at any one time because we can see only a portion of the sky at one time. The movement of the earth as it spins on its axis while traveling around the sun makes the constellations appear to rise and set in our skies."

Nancy Driesbach: "Seven Heavenly Signs came about when I was invited to be part of an exhibit whose theme was Seventh Heaven. In New Mexico we have large skies and since moving here I have learned to identify some of the constellations that brighten them. I pick out the Big and Little Dippers, look for Orion’s return as the nights grow cooler and fall approaches, and watch for the Pleiades and Cassiopeia.

"I did some research on the constellations and decided that others might also like to know just a bit about them in general and about the ones I’d chosen in particular, so I made the accordion book containing an explanation and pockets for cards of each of the constellation in the puzzle. I constructed the box and covered it with dark blue paper I had hand-speckled to imitate the myriad stars in our night skies. I decided to cover the reverse side of the night sky pieces with a puzzle of a clouded daytime sky — the sky where the constellations hang out even during daylight hours. Since I had gessoed the papers on which I painted the two scenes and mounted them on both sides of the board, I found I had created a problem for myself — cutting the scenes into individual pieces. I took it to the community college where I have taken many classes and asked for help. Several teachers were consulted but the final decision was that I needed to do it by hand. What a challenge!"
$375