Minneapolis-based artist Joseph Decamillis resuscitates discarded old books by reworking the covers with inserted miniature oil paintings on copper and steel plates. Decamillis’ work transforms the volumes into sculptural pieces while adding a new narrative dimension with his postage stamp size illuminated images.

As an antiquarian book collector and seller, I’m always a bit queasy when I see old books mutilated in the name of art. Hopefully, all of the books in the “Miniature Paintings in Altered Books” series really are damaged and discarded volumes.