# Scalpel-Sculpted Book Stacks These Kylie Stillman Book Carvings Cut New Life into Old Novels By Corinne Guirgis | Published 2011-06-19 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kylie-stillman References: [odditycentral](http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-book-stack-sculptures-of-kylie-stillman.html) & [kyliestillman](http://www.kyliestillman.com/index.html) Book carving is a rapidly rising art form that is dominated by a few select artists, such as Kylie Stillman, who take pride in breeding new life into [old, outdated objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures). Stillman uses a scalpel to cut into a [stack of books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xixi-goldmye-bookstore) and create inverted carvings of [trees, birds, flowers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funeral-for-a-tree) and other items found in nature. The goal of her work is to remind the audience where the paper for these books came from and offset a life cycle that has the paper returning to its original tree form -- symbolically, of course. As captured in the photos above, the Australian artist often compiles the individual stacks to create a large body of work housed on a shelf. The stacks are laid out such that the progression of the individual images forms a larger picture, such as a plentiful forest or a swarm of flying birds. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: South America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Book Carving:** The rising art form of book carving offers opportunities for artists to breathe new life into outdated objects through intricate designs. - **Nature-inspired Carvings:** Creating inverted carvings of trees, birds, and flowers found in nature presents a unique way for artists to showcase their creativity. - **Symbolic Artworks:** Using book carvings to symbolically represent the life cycle of paper and its connection to trees opens up avenues for artistic expression and storytelling. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** The art and design industry can embrace book carving as a disruptive innovation to explore new forms of expression and introduce unique artwork to the market. - **Publishing and Printing:** The publishing and printing industry may find opportunities in collaborating with book carvers to create limited edition collectibles and customized book designs that appeal to niche markets. - **Eco-friendly Products and Sustainability:** The eco-friendly products and sustainability industry can leverage book carving as a creative way to promote environmental consciousness and remind consumers of the paper's origin and life cycle. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Flip Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stl-sculptures.md) - [Repurposed Wooden Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darren-appiagyei.md) - [Sculptural Paper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti.md) - [Minimalist Bookish Shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimal-bookshelf.md) - [Revolving Bright Kinetic Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/library-of-light.md) - [Stone Floral Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lithic-bloom.md) - [Book-Storing Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookgroove-bookrack.md) - [Dynamic Geometric Bookshelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheft.md) - [Sculptural Mixed-Media Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folded-echoes.md)