Concertina Books | Workshop with Christina Darras

About the Workshop

Discover the art of the concertina book — a form that unfolds like an accordion, offering endless possibilities for image, text and narrative. Used by artists, printmakers and bookmakers, concertina structures are both sculptural and functional: they can stand upright as objects, flow like a landscape, or fold neatly into the palm of your hand.

In this workshop, artist Christina Darras introduces participants to the creative potential of the concertina format. Beginning with a visual presentation of her own practice alongside references from art history, Christina will share how this unique book form has inspired her work and how it can be adapted to different artistic voices.

Through step-by-step guidance, you will learn how to fold and cut paper in a printmaker’s way, develop coherent content across your pages, and stitch your concertinas together with simple bookbinding techniques. The process encourages experimentation with collage, drawing, mark-making and text, making each book deeply personal.

By the end of the session, participants will share and reflect on their creations in a supportive group setting. All materials — including watercolour paper, drawing tools, collage papers, glue, threads and needles — are provided.

This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in artists’ books, experimental drawing, or simply exploring new ways of storytelling through form.

About Your Host

Christina Darras is an interdisciplinary artist and a jewellery designer of Athenian Greek origin, currently residing and working from Melbourne. Christina works with many mediums, including drawing, painting, installations, and embroidery. She enjoys making with her hands, and considers making her thinking process. She is addicted to colour (having fallen into a fountain of colour as a toddler and swallowed lots of rainbow water, colour is in her DNA), which is excitingly apparent in her creations.

She has studied drawing and painting at Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France and printmaking at Central St Martins College of Art and Design in London, UK. In Athens, she is represented by Genesis Gallery and has worked with the Benaki Museum for the past 17 years, covering an area from ancient to contemporary art and culture. Christina has also sold her jewellery to Harvey Nichols London, Barney’s New York, and Collette in Paris. In Melbourne, she has collaborated with Crafts Victoria, Boom Gallery, Wangaratta Regional Gallery, Kiitos Living by design, and Kingston Arts, showing artwork and jewellery. She has recently completed a master in contemporary art at Victoria College of Arts.

More info about Christina Darras:
https://christinadarras.com

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