Betwixt
In her Betwixt series, Israel seeks to create singular images for contemplation in an age of image-multiplicity. Using a primitive form of X-ray, Israel shines light through the pages of old picture books that have images printed on both sides of the page. The two previously separated images combine, exposing an unseen image world – an unknown space that we all inhabit unconsciously in our world of media images. Israel detaches and houses the appropriated pages in bespoke light boxes (which she calls Shadow Boxes) in order to preserve the moment of image discovery in perpetuity.
Untitled (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2021
Bespoke cedar wood framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 23 x 28cm
Holy Land (Betwixt Shadow Box) II, 2019
Bespoke oak framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 29 x 24cm
Holy Land (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2018
Bespoke oak framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 29 x 24cm
Portraiture (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2021
Bespoke cherry wood framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 25 x 29cm
Untitled (Betwixt Shadow Box) II, 2021
Bespoke poplar framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 24 x 30cm
The Forest (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2021
Bespoke cherry wood framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 26 x 28cm
The Forest (Betwixt Shadow Box) II, 2021
Bespoke oak framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 24 x 30cm
The Garden (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2021
Bespoke cherry wood framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 22 x 27cm
Old Masters (Betwixt Shadow Box) I, 2021
Bespoke cherry wood framed light box, double sided photographic image from a bygone picture book, 24 x 30cm
© Jo Israel 2023
Images by Alex Brattell