JUSTARIP Press ~ New Jersey
(Maryann Riker)

Other artists' books by Maryann Riker
Button bookworks by Maryann Riker
Shadowbox books by Maryann Riker

The Pale ...
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2011. One-of-a-Kind.

2.25 x 2.5 x 2.25" closed, 2.25 x 11.5" extended; five panels. Miniature house shaped book. Double-sided accordion structure. Materials: book board, foamcore, wood, paper, plastic. Collage. Found objects.

A miniature accordion structure sculptural book unfolds to reveal lines from Shelley's "Ode to a Skylark."

Maryann Riker: "This little work was an ode to the idea of a secret garden with birds, ferns, trees, and flowers. Dewdrops and gold reflect back on the viewer as the piece unfolds….Words and images flit along this miniature work."
$125

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Pearlessence
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2010. Edition of 15.

2 .25 x 2.25 x .5"; 8 page. Double-sided accordion structure. Color copy of vintage papers with glued on pearls. Housed in a gold metallic gauze pouch tied with gold satin ribbons.

Maryann Riker: "Certain iconic symbols remind one of certain times. Poodle skirts, stiletto heels, pearl necklaces all bring one back to a time when women were not 'turned out' until they accessorized their outfit with their pearls. This little miniature accordion-book adorned with a gold frame accented with pearls highlights the history of how pearls became the hallmark of the American woman. Vintage advertising photos of women wearing all lengths of pearls highlights the text. This little 'pearl' is another tribute to the golden age when women would not go out grocery shopping without that little pearl necklace and studs."
$35

Affirmations of a Domestic Goddess
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2009. Edition of 20.

2.75 x 2" closed, 4 x 4" open; 8 pages. Carousel of four double pages with ribbon ties. Miniature. Color copy of vintage papers. Housed in a pink metallic gauze pouch and tied with pink satin ribbons.

Maryann Riker: "A miniature house-shaped carousel book that celebrates the golden age of the American housewife in post World War II America. Based on the statement made by the fine artist, Barbara Kruger, 'I shop, therefore I am ... .' This statement has been recontextualized to affirm the dreams and purpose of American women in the 1940's and 1950's. Utilizing vintage advertising, vintage wrapping paper, and storybooks for little girls, these images convey the idealism of the time when housewives were perfectly coiffed and always wore pearls and pumps while laundering, vacuuming, and cooking."
$30

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Once ...
A Small Revised Fairy Tale
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2008. Edition of 20, 2 artist's proofs.

2 x 2" closed, 4 x 4" open; 8 pages. Miniature with pop-ups. Four double-page carousel with ribbon ties.

Maryann Riker: "A miniature pop-up book that unfolds 360 degrees to reveal four page spreads with a beautiful princess, a frog, and other things that render a visual replay of the classic fairy tale of 'living happily ever after.' But look more closely and the tale has been slightly revised to reflect a contemporary princess's view of 'living happily ever after.' First in a series of miniature pop-ups based on revised fairy tales from a feminist perspective."
$35

A Miniature History of the Button
Vols. 1, 2, 3
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2008. Edition of 10.

Three Button Books, each 1" circular with a double-sided accordion (4 pages on one side with two on back). Bound with button as the front cover. Housed in a clear glass mason jar (2.875 x 1.75" x 1.75") with wire closure and rubber seal. Paper title label on one side of jar and artist text on opposite.

Maryann Riker: "What does one do with an overabundance of buttons purchased in an exuberant moment of a closeout at a local craft store? Create an edition of the history of the button! Beginning my research, I envisioned 3 pages on the history of the button. Much to my [chagrin], I found 5 sentences on the history of the button. So, as a tongue in cheek approach I editioned a miniature history of the button...shortened and edited down to fit into these delightful little closures. Nostalgically, I remember spending rainy afternoons discovering lovely little treasures as I rooted through my mom and aunt's button jar and button box. This is my tribute to the humble little closure. Volumes 4, 5 and 6 to be released in 2009."
$135 (Last copy)

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Miniature History of the Button: Part 2
Vols. 4, 5, 6
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2009. Edition of 8.

Three 1" circular button books; 6 pages each. Accordion structure with pastedowns as pages. Each book cover an actual button. Housed in 2.875 x 2.875 x 1.75” cloth and paper covered box with attached lid. Paper title label on exterior of lid with colophon on the opposite side of the lid.

Maryann Riker: "When I was young, I spent many a rainy afternoon picking through my mom and aunt’s button jar and button box. I loved the variety--each one its own special work of art. These little gems have always held my fascination. The second part of the Miniature History of the Button is a brief history on the button’s use and types. This is then my ode to their noble purpose in making our lives simpler and easier in keeping our clothes in their proper place."
$125

BUTTon Book
By Maryann Riker
New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2008. Edition of 4.

1" circular book. Double-sided accordion with 4 circular panels. Button as the front cover.

Another in Riker's Button Book series. Instead of belly buttons this features derrières from Renaissance paintings

Maryann Riker: "A presentation of Renaissance masterpieces that focus on one area — the gluteus maximus. A small accordion format book with a real button for the cover unfolds to present this humorous display."
$55 (two copies)

Rococo Button Book
By Maryann Riker
New Jersey: 2007. Edition of 4.

1.375 round, .5" thick. Mixed Media. With button for the front cover.

A miniature accordion of umbilical scars drawn from Rococo masterpieces.
$65

Finding Your Equilibrium
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2009. One-of-a-Kind.

2.625 x 2.625 x 1.5625” shadow box. Two-panel accordion becomes lid for the shadow box. Collage and found objects.

Maryann Riker: "Always trying to find center at any given moment emotionally is difficult in these trying times. This feminine viewer is ever present here watching and trying to find the center...her emotional center when sometimes remaining centered is not what is needed."
$125

Secretly Watching
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Maryann Riker, 2009. One-of-a-Kind.

2.625 x 2.625 x 1.56” shadow box with hinged lid. Two-panel accordion with shadow box. Decoupage, collage, and found objects.

Maryann Riker: "Another work involving that search for the 'perfect moment' the 'when I get there' or 'when I achieve this' moment is what this work narrates. There is great difficulty in attempting to surmise the 'perfect moment' ... and training oneself to recognize it. But is not every moment a 'perfect moment' if experienced in the present?"
$125

Toward the Light
By Maryann Riker
Phillipsburg, New Jersey:Maryann Riker, 2007. One-of-a-Kind.

2.625 x 2.625". Mixed Media.

Maryann Riker: "A shadowbox cover attaches to an accordion style book that unfolds and gives us clues to what can happen when we move toward the light ... as moths are attracted to the light so do humans move toward hope and joy. What can happen along the way is another matter. This inevitably becomes the path of one's life."
(SOLD)