Book: 'I Wonder' by graphic artist Marian Bantjes

By Malaika Byng

'I Wonder' is a gilt-edged new tome from Marian Bantjes, combining graphic art with her lesser-known skills as a writer. On its elaborately ornamented pages, the Wallpaper* contributor (and designer of a Laser sailboat for Wallpaper* Handmade, W*137) looks at the role of wonder in design and imagery, through an eccentric mix of musings, personal anecdotes and what she, herself, calls 'harebrained ideas'.

A chapter exploring how we honour things that resonate with us, illustrated by ornamental pasta, is swiftly followed by a look at the experience of the 'really ugly' signage in her home town of Saskatoon, Canada. These rich, playful and often funny pages are wrapped in an aptly indulgent, gold and silver foil cover.

9 September 2010 | Lifestyle