Short Bio
Anissa Malady, a collage artist, book destroyer, and librarian, explores the intersection of art, literature, and human expression, challenging conventions and sparking conversations through her captivating visual narratives inspired by photography and the provocative allure of erotic arts, while questioning traditional notions of preservation and archiving, inviting viewers to confront the transient nature of print and what is deemed archivable, with her work reflecting the complexities of the human experience. She has exhibited at venues such as the Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco Public Library, 1920-a-Rama, and on the streets of San Francisco.
Statement
As a librarian and devoted book lover, my artistic journey takes an unconventional path. I assume the role of a destroyer of books to challenge the notion of preservation and ignite dialogue on the evolving nature of print. Through my collages, I interweave fragments of text and imagery sourced from discarded or damaged books. These pieces, distorted and transformed, tantalize and disturb, provoking viewers to question artistic boundaries.
Accompanying each collage is a poem intricately developed around the art. These poems explore the depths of the human psyche, blending themes of nostalgia, loss, and rebirth. Vivid imagery and language serve as a contemplative lens, intensifying the impact of the collages and immersing viewers in an unsettling yet thought-provoking experience.
My work serves as a tangible reminder of the power and fragility of the printed word. By embracing destruction, I challenge society's reverence for books, encouraging viewers to reevaluate their relationship with print, reproduction and the broader cultural constructs.
My artistic endeavor disrupts conventional narratives associated with books and their preservation, inviting viewers to explore uncharted territories of visual art and poetry. In the collision of destruction and creation
Biography
Anissa Malady is a collage artist, book destroyer, and librarian with a deep passion for the intersection of art, literature, and human expression. Inspired by photography and the provocative allure of erotic arts, she weaves together captivating visual narratives that challenge conventions and ignite conversations.
Originally from Denver, Malady pursued her artistic education at the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. Her journey as a collage artist and book destroyer emerged from a desire to question traditional notions of preservation and archiving, inviting viewers to confront the transient nature of print and what is deemed archivable.
Having resided in San Francisco for over 20 years, Malady draws inspiration from the city's rich street art scene, infusing her work with an urban energy and rebellious spirit. Her collages are an amalgamation of found imagery, fragmented text, and layers of meaning, reflecting the complexities of the human experience.
Malady’s art invites viewers to explore the boundaries of sensuality, desire, and human connection. With each piece, she encourages dialogue and introspection, challenging societal norms and sparking contemplation on the intricacies of identity and sexuality.
Her work has been exhibited at the Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco Public Library, 1920-a-Rama, and on the streets of San Francisco.
