Edna Lazaron book art: concertina fold out, 1976

Edna Sara LAZARON (1924-2007). [A small-format concertina fold-out book containing a linked series of original pen and ink and pencil sketches of trees, flowers, people, boats, birds.] [?Norfolk, Virginia: dated 1976 on label on one cover]. (Height: 4 ¾. Width: 3 1/2inches extending to 78 ½ inches when fully opened out), one side with sketches to most panels, the other with sketches to only six panels. Original decorated paper covers, thin vertical paper label to one cover, stamped ‘Made in Japan’ (light soiling to covers). Provenance: Norman Fletcher Goodwin (1943-2019, a gift from the artist, inscribed ‘To my friend Norman [heart] E.S.’). Given to Goodwin by Lazaron.

‘Edna Sara Lazaron , a Norfolk [Virginia] artist, cared about the earth and all of its inhabitants. On that subject, she had much to say. Through the decades, her work evolved into a new art form called book art, where the entire piece, binding to text, constitutes a single artwork. She was among the first to embrace this new approach, and was included in national exhibitions….She was among the last of the artists representing "the golden age of creativity" in this region, said Norfolk artist Norman Goodwin, who had been friends with Lazaron for 40 years…. "We all hung out at Edna Sara's," he said. "She was the most giving person," and reveled in the success of others.”… Gayle Paul , curator at the Courthouse Galleries in Portsmouth , recalled visiting Lazaron a decade ago in preparation for a show featuring her work. "Her house was filled, top to bottom with her work, and that of others. You went out into her garden and it was full of art. Every part of her property was touched with some creative aspect," Paul said. "I think her work was just laden with message," said Virginia Beach artist Anne S. Iott, a nationally known book artist. Human rights and the natural environment topped her concerns. For any artist interested in addressing social issues in their work, Iott said, "there was a model, an artist who was able to use her materials to say what she had on her mind, and make art out of it."’ (Teresa Annas, writing in ‘The Virginian-Pilot’, Norfolk, VA. June 2, 2007).