Original Handmade Artist's Book of Collages & Assemblages

New York, 2008. Near fine.. A rich series of collages and assemblages with thoroughly referential pop-art sensibilities. The artist's identity is unknown: aside from a recurring signature ("T" followed by a five-pointed star), the only relevant information is the dedication: "N.Y. 3/20/08 / This Book / Is / Dedicated / To / My Son / Rocky / He Has Been The / Only True Inspira / tion For Me.. / I Love You!! / Forever / Tiziana [?]." The untitled book's collages and three-dimensional assemblages use a wide variety of materials (plastic, paint, printed transparency, markers, toys), and stylistically evoke a kind of lowbrow pop art, or even pop-punk, with a particular emphasis on fashion design (images of T-shirts, purses, and jeans abound). Recurring symbols include skulls, guns, movie/concert posters, album covers, and icons borrowed from other pop artists, including Richard Prince's bunny skull and Warhol's banana. The book's style brings to mind a kind of retro fashion boutique, though Tiziana's references are so motley and obscure that they would resist such easy marketing; for example, a poster for the film ROLLERBALL starring James Caan and several little-known comic book heroes are also included. The book belies a certain '80s nostalgia -- be it for punk (Misfits, Tuxedomoon) or film (a collaged purse bearing the likeness of Kurt Russell from ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) -- and seems to have been designed by someone with a keen interest in fashion design, due to the multiplicity of clothing depicted. Altogether, an ornate, elaborate, and consistently surprising outsider book. Hardcover. Quarto. Spiral-bound boards. (24) leaves of black cardstock, plus covers. All surfaces covered with two- and three-dimensional elements. Appears complete. Traces of dust/rubbing to covers, else clean and unmarred inside and out.