Collection of books by Ronald Chase

On this website, you can have a closer look at Chase’s works in a book form. However, here you are not going to find anything like typical stacks of paper sheets filled with eloquent texts. The artist’s creations are wordless, which draws your attention from chapters to the meaning that lies behind. A visual element of these books is a key that allows you to experience themes in a far more ‘out-of-the-box’ way.

Here the artistic style is characterized by a step back from what is considered to be traditional. He creates his works with the help of abstract imagery, figures, prints and illustrations, all of which coalesce into bizarre, albeit intriguing stories. And these stories unfold in the way that makes it impossible for viewers to resist turning the next page. Themes, for example, can be a visual motif that is repeated and expanded. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the subtleties.

Interests and sources of inspiration

Chase created all his books in the eighties-nineties, the period when his experiments with photography and abstract imagery had led to the evolution of his own style. The artist drew much of his inspiration from his time in New York City, where he was often fascinated by certain exhibitions ––– one of medieval manuscripts at the Morgan Library, and books of watercolors from Turner’s period at the Met. Generation, The Book of Hours, East/West, and The Book of Days are only a few that are associated with his experiences in New York. Some of the creations remain unpublished to date, which makes them highly coveted, as additions to personal collections.

What else has encouraged the artist work in a book form is his genuine interest in:

nature (Leaf)
the art of calligraphy (Look and See)
vintage photographs (Generation)
the elements of visual amusement and surprise (Play, Eye: Part One and Part Two, Rough Cut, Park)
the male nude (Eye, Part 1 & 2)
medieval manuscipts (Book of Hours)
the nature of color ( Farber (Rough Cut)

Looking at things from a different perspective

By using visual components in his works and concentrating on the way a single image shifts and changes with each page turn, Chase aims to redefine the artist book, making them more accessible to everyone. He continues pursuing his passion for giving a new meaning to the common things that surround us and believes that his books are a personal, intimate experience in contrast to art that is hung in a gallery.