If I Were Harry Martinson
is a handmade artist’s book by Leslie Wayne in a limited edition of ten, with three artist’s proofs.
Each book measures 9¼ x 7½ inches and contains 28 pages, with eight archival digital prints by the artist. The paper is Moab Entrada Rag Bright 300 gsm, the typeface is Avenir and the letterpress was done at The Grenfell Press. The binding was sewn by Sarah Nicholls and the vinyl cover with leather tie was designed and sewn by the artist.
This illustrated book explores the poem Kabelskepp by Swedish poet Harry Martinson (1904–1978), who left home at the age of seventeen to sail around the world on a telegraph cable repair ship. The poem describes a moment where a torn cable is hauled up onto the deck of the boat one night and a far away conversation could be heard through the wires about the fate of the world and the sailors’ lives. This poignant existential scene inspired Wayne to imagine what it must have been like for Martinson and led her to explore more deeply the details of the ship he must have sailed on. The images are a lyrical response to each stanza of the poem.