| Title | Soil Core #1 |
| Artist / Creator | Lucia Harrison |
| Place of Publication | Tacoma, WA |
| Publication Date | 2012 |
| Number of Images | 75 |
| Image Process | Painting, sewing, collage. |
| Structure / Binding | Single sheets of round handmade paper are threaded on a golden rod. The book includes 500 pages of handmade paper. Many of the pages are painted with handmade paint from soil, clay, and charcoal mixed with gum arabic. Other pages are sewn to represent thread-like mycelia. Other pages include pressed leaves and roots to represent the organic layers of soil. |
| Medium / Materials | Mixed media: hand made paper (Cattail and English Ivy), soil, clay, leaves, roots, plastic pipe with ends, matt medium, gum arabic, and thread. |
| Paper Stock | Handmade cattail and english ivy paper |
| Number of Pages | 500 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 16 x 4 x 4 inches |
| Edition Size | Unique |
| Signed & Numbered | Yes |
During the Winter 2012, I had the opportunity to dig soil pits with students from The Evergreen State College. I came to appreciate how the beautiful layers of the soil reveal the history of the land and dynamic ecological processes. The rich organic layer is broken down by many diverse species of macro invertebrates and microorganisms. Deeper layers reveal evidence of volcanic eruption, fire, and water moved clay deposits. I hope my work draws attention to our region's most precious and often under appreciated resource: the soil.
Artist Bio
Lucia Harrison is a visual artist who lives in Tacoma and Olympia, Washington. Through artist books, paintings, and drawings, she explores the natural and human history of South Puget Sound where she grew up. She teaches art at The Evergreen State College in interdisciplinary programs that combine visual art and science. Her team teaching with colleagues in botany, geology, ecology, marine biology, soil science, and history of science has inspired and deepened her understanding and appreciation for intricate ecological processes that link organisms with their environment.