I am Hilke Kurzke, book artist, writer, sole trader, mother and wife.

I am the woman Büchertiger Studio & Press (the imprint under which I publish my editioned artwork), and Büchertiger Supplies, the name of my retail business.

I am trying to solve the mysteries of life and the magic of books through making, printing, and writing.

I am interested in how we speak, the effect our words can have, and in hidden meaning in a very broad sense. I explore this through books written in secret script, but also by hiding artwork within enclosures that have to be destroyed to find out what’s inside – or maybe to leave intact and never to find out.

My current body of work focuses on maternal subjects, on pregnancy and pregnancy loss, how we speak to and about pregnant women and what expectations society poses on women regarding reproduction.

I am passionate about teaching and firmly believe that making books can enrich everyone’s life, whether they are 5 years old when they make their first book, or 95. With the Notts Book Arts fair I hope to bring a new side of books to the attention of people in Nottinghamshire and beyond.