Every book you’ve held conceals a secret within its spine—a component often overlooked. Singaporean artist Adelene Koh transforms this hidden essence with “Endless” (2025), a stunning ring-like sculpture crafted from paper, embroidery threads, and aluminum wire. Its circular form invites contemplation, drawing you in with its sheer scale, vibrant colors, and intricate construction.
How She Reinvents the Endband
“Endless” embodies an endband, a decorative strip typically concealed within a book’s spine. Most readers never glimpse this craftwork, but the artist liberates it into something to be viewed and celebrated. The piece expands this hidden element into an independent object, inviting you to reconsider what binds a book.
Intricate Craftsmanship
Koh employs the front bead method, an English sewing technique from the 18th and 19th centuries, with an aluminum wire core. This is another instance where she reshapes materials into a stunning visual experience. Hand-folded pages form quires, creating a visually striking structure. The meticulous labor embedded in the piece rewards a slow, deliberate examination. Quick glances don’t suffice here.
For more stunning paper artistry, explore Julia Ibbini’s laser-cut paper art which combines intricate craftsmanship with vibrant ink painting.
Exploring Material Harmony
Here, she reimagines paper—often seen as fragile—into the structure’s backbone. It challenges the notion of impermanence when combined with thread and wire. This material harmony suggests a fresh perspective on durability, blending what is often considered transient into something enduring.
Recognized Craft Excellence
Shortlisted for the esteemed 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, “Endless” embodies the intersection of traditional bookbinding and contemporary design. The piece’s innovative approach underscores why it caught significant attention, despite not winning the final accolade.
Unveiling the Hidden
Koh’s work questions what lies beneath the surface, making visible the elements usually hidden. It challenges us to rethink what we value in craftsmanship. Although the prize went to South Korean artist Jongjin Park, “Endless” leaves an indelible impression, exemplifying how she elevates bookbinding into a vital form of cultural expression.
Delve deeper into transforming traditional crafts with Gil Batle’s porcelain art that turns past imprisonment into poignant artistic expressions.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Adelene Koh’s sculpture ‘Endless’ made of?
‘Endless’ is crafted from paper, embroidery threads, and aluminum wire, forming a stunning ring-like sculpture.
How does ‘Endless’ reinterpret the book’s endband?
‘Endless’ takes the endband, a decorative strip usually hidden within a book’s spine, and transforms it into an independent object for contemplation and celebration.
What traditional technique does Koh use in her artwork?
Koh employs the front bead method, an English sewing technique from the 18th and 19th centuries, in constructing her artwork.