Twee albums met elk twaalf landschappen 1850 - 1900

These two albums with landscapes by Hui Nian invite us to consider the connection between art and the natural world through the lens of material and making. Crafted from wood, the albums’ covers immediately draw attention to the inherent qualities of this material. The smooth, warm surface and visible wood grain speak of the album’s origins from a once living tree. Each album contains twelve landscapes and the albums’ dimensions – height 33 cm, width 66 cm, and thickness 2.5 cm – suggest a carefully considered design. The choice of wood as a medium brings with it a rich history of woodworking and its associated tools, from saws and chisels to planes and sanders. These are not the traditional materials and processes associated with fine art, but the careful crafting of these albums elevate this to an artform. The labor and skill involved in transforming raw wood into refined objects underscores the value and significance of the handmade in a world increasingly dominated by mass production. Thinking about these albums through their material and making, challenges our perception and questions the boundaries between art and craft.