Loch Inver to Kirkwall 1870

Charles George Lewis made this sketchbook around 1870, using paper, leather, and thread. These everyday materials, far from the precious substances often associated with art, reflect a practical, portable approach to creativity. The sketchbook's construction speaks volumes. The cover, likely mass-produced, hints at the industrialization of bookbinding. Inside, the pages, though blank, await Lewis's touch, inviting us to consider the labor involved in both their making and potential use. The visible stitching, a humble yet essential element, underscores the human hand in the book's creation. Ultimately, this sketchbook transcends its utilitarian nature. It becomes a symbol of artistic potential, a space where imagination meets the materiality of the everyday. It challenges us to reconsider the value we place on "high art" materials, and to recognize the beauty and significance inherent in the humblest of creative tools.