Artist Maggie Kerrigan poses with her artwork Rise from the Ashes, which consists of two "banned" books and the ashes of 7 burned books.

Artist’s Statement

Altering books allows me to elicit a further message from the printed page, amplifying the initial narrative created by the author. I merge my own impressions to provoke viewers with an added dimension while they regard the original literary work.

My creative process includes a variety of techniques including folding, cutting, carving, paper-casting, deconstruction, assemblage and more.  The process for each individual artwork is informed by the book used and the desired theme of the finished piece, connecting the final outcome with its curated book.

Maggie Lina Kerrigan

Press and Awards

Selected Press:

Bold Journey interview, December 2025

WHRO article about pieces in the Small Works show at Charles Taylor, November 2024

WTKR News Feature on The Feather Project, November 2022

Fatal Flaw Literary Magazine, TIME issue, November 2021

Virginian Pilot, Mysterious Book Sculptures, Feb. 2015, Nov. 2015 and May 2016

Virginian Pilot, Plein Air Classes, Sept. 2011

Selected Awards:

Merit Award, Artfields, Lake City SC, for “Their Tender Hearts” April 2022

Best in Show, Imagine, Virginia Beach Art Center for “Infinity of Imagination” March 2019

Second Place, Sheets (national), D’Art Center for “Empires Fall” June 2019

Second Place & People’s Choice, Art Speaks (state-wide), Bay School Community Arts Center for “Something’s Crabbing My Toe” April 2019