If you open one of Isobelle Ouzman‘s books, you’ll be transported to a whimsical world of flora and fauna. The Bratislava-based artist carves pages of found novels and other tomes into intricate paper labyrinths of forests and meadows. Often occupied by a lone hare or fox, the fairytale scenes are imbued with a quiet, calm sense of mystery about the machinations of the imagined environments and their inhabitants.

Ouzman shares that she gravitates toward mass-produced volumes in poor condition. “Book size, depth, and paper texture play a big role in my decision as well, and I often need to hold a book in my hands before I can visualise a new artwork,” she says. The carving and drawing process depends on both the physical object and the intended narrative, taking between three weeks and three months to complete. Find an archive of Ouzman’s works and glimpses into her process on her site and Instagram, and shop prints on Etsy.
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