Scherl’s Hand-made, gilded book is exhibited at John Young Museum of Art; University of Hawaii

I’m so grateful and honored that my hand-made, accordian book of gilded photographs is being exhibited at the John Young Museum of Art at the University of Hawaii. This book includes ten gold leaf images from my CHALENGER DEFENDER project. (CHALLENGER DEDENDER The Great Tradition of TIbetan Buddhist Monastic Debate.) After spending alot of time at the Sera Jey Monastic Library in Bylakuppe, India, the summer of 2019, and then at the Morgan Library when I returned to New York City, I observed many of the original Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and gilded manuscript covers. My vision to make gold leaf prints was very intentional and it related to the unbound pages of tibetan scriptures I had seen, as well as the gilded manuscript covers. I combined the two concepts and made my gilded square prints, and then placed them inside of oblong book matts to replicate the oblong scripture pages. It is very exciting to be a part of this wonderful group of artists. Special thanks to Bibiana , the Inspiration Art Group International and to the many artists whose work and friendship I admire and value. Here are some of the installation shots.

Aside from the many people who have advocated for me, contributed tibetan (and English) texts and essays for my trade book (released in 2025 by MW Editions), I am grateful to all of the people who actively tapped into me and supported me during this undertaking. My list is long (all listed in my acknowledgements of my trade book) but here are a few of these very special people who helped me instrumentally and very specifically with regard to my pursuit of making my gilded prints, and my hand-made accordian book.

Elizabeth Avedon, Debra Klompching, Dr Negi, Emory University, Marcy Palmer, The Gilded Planet, Sepp Leaf, Tobias Freccia, Charles Douglas, Bibiana Matheas, and Corrine Lapin-Cohen.