• Each edition of the travel journals “Elements” is unique.

Her travel journals, a book lover's dream, are artist's books, also called portfolios. They are a collection of photolithography mixed with contemporary artistic techniques and the legacy of printing traditions. Each original photograph is printed on paper made entirely from natural fibres (cotton, virgin fibres), normally only used for engraving and lithography. Some pieces are printed on single colour presses, each set dried before another colour is applied.

For each portfolio, the artist creates a graphic identity around the natural elements. Bar the first page and the signature page, there is no text in the pieces but the illusion of writing is conveyed through the characters, the words and the calligraphy drawn on the parchment paper. This serves as an introduction to the natural element explored in the photolithography that follows it in the piece.

The artist brings all this together in boxes crafted entirely by hand using rare papers made of tea fibre and seaweed, but most often using paper manufactured in the portfolio's country of origin.

For the 'MADAGASCAR' portfolio, 'ANTAIMORO' paper was used. Similar to papyrus, Antaimoro is made with 'AVOHA' mulberry skin, which is boiled, sorted and then crushed. The paste resulting from this process is then diluted in water and sun dried in a cotton strainer. The Antaimoro people who gave their name to the paper, followers of the Islamic faith, use it to transcribe verses of the Koran.

Traditional Washi papers are used in the ‘Japan’ portfolio. A religious Korean Buddhist is believed to have introduced papermaking techniques and paintbrushes in the 7th Century. The handcrafted production of this paper was similar to that of Madagascan paper. Produced from mulberry skin or hemp, the pulp was obtained by boiling the skin and then mixing it with plant-based glue, water and rice. Although today its production has been industrialised, the tradition continues to this day in the northern villages of Japan where the water is purer.

Each 'Japan' portfolio contains different kinds of Washi paper, which gives each piece an almost unique character