Combining the printed element of collage with the three dimensionality of assemblage, Hope Kroll’s inventive layering of imagery culled from a wide array of antique books is an entirely new approach to found imagery.

Assemblage is one of the “bridging concepts” that connect various artistic disciplines while retaining their specificity. While Kroll’s source material is gleaned from a multiplicity of texts, including old encyclopedias, medical texts, children’s books, popular science, technical manuals, paper dolls and old photographs, the careful juxtaposition of imagery transforms the presupposed chaos of subjects into cohesive compositions that re-imagine patterns in nature and investigate the neurotic processes of humankind.

Beyond the diverse assortment of inspirations, Kroll’s complex works focus on the source material itself and the history of those objects. Deconstructed and then reconstructed, individually cut imagery each possesses its own unique history, having passed through many hands before being re-contextualized by Kroll. Serving as the canvas for these intricately cut-out assemblages, aged blank paper found in old books lends a natural patina and muted hue to the works.

Because of the high quality of the color plates and lithography selected, Kroll maintains the integrity of the original found materials while considering their imagery in an entirely new context. In many cases, elements of the work are lifted off the flat surface to create visual drama to these mis en scene while adding dimensionality and showcasing the highly meticulous nature of her cuttings.