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Walt
Walt, inspired by the words of Walt Whitman, is a laser-cut carousel artist's book that celebrates the interconnectedness of
humanity and the natural world. Opening into a circular landscape, each panel reveals layered paper cuttings that weave
together grass, forests, pathways, celestial skies, and the unmistakable silhouette of Whitman himself. His poetry becomes part
of the structure, inviting viewers to journey through both the physical pages and the ideas they contain.
Rather than illustrating Whitman's poems literally, the book transforms recurring themes from Leaves of Grass into visual
metaphors. Tall blades of grass become symbols of equality and renewal, winding paths suggest individual journeys, and
expansive landscapes reflect the contradictions and possibilities that define the human experience. Light passing through the
cut paper creates shifting layers of shadow, echoing the way Whitman's words reveal new meanings with each reading.
Designed to be viewed from every angle, the carousel structure allows the work to function as both a sculptural object and a
book. As the viewer circles the piece, separate scenes connect into a continuous visual conversation, much like Whitman's belief
that every person, every leaf, and every moment belongs to a larger whole.
Laser-cut from layered papers in varying shades of green, Walt reflects Whitman's enduring invitation to embrace nature,
individuality, contradiction, and the shared experience of being human. The work encourages viewers to slow down, move
around the sculpture, and discover how each page contributes to a larger narrative—one that, like Whitman's poetry itself,
remains open, expansive, and alive.
Artist Statement
My introduction to Walt Whitman came through an unexpected path. At a conference, I met someone whose favorite author was
Whitman, and I realized how little I knew about his work. My strongest connection was not through literature, but through Dead
Poets Society, a film that has remained one of my favorites for decades. John Keating's passion for Whitman's poetry—his
invitation to think independently, to question convention, and to "sound your barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world"—left
a lasting impression long before I ever opened Leaves of Grass.
Returning to Whitman years later, I found those ideas waiting for me. His words celebrate the dignity of ordinary life, the courage
to embrace contradiction, and the responsibility each of us has to contribute something uniquely our own. As I read, I selected
passages that resonated deeply and allowed them to guide the imagery rather than dictate it. Each composition became a quiet
conversation between Whitman's voice and my own visual language.
Creating this book became an act of gratitude—for a poet whose words continue to encourage curiosity, individuality, and
creative courage, and for the teachers, artists, and friends who lead us toward ideas we might never have discovered on our own.
Whitman wrote that "the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." This book is my verse.
Year: 2021
Medium: Mixed media artist's book
Structure: carousel
Materials: Archival papers, PVA adhesive
Dimensions: closed, 7” x 5” x .5” open, 7” x 10” x 10”
Edition: Edition of 20
Status: Available
