Size: 7" x 2"
Medium: Varnish-sealed paint on canvas
Year: 2025
These bookmarks are made from slices of an up-cycled canvas I used for an experimental painting. In much of my abstract work, I collaborate with the environment, and for this particular piece, I experimented with layering different paints, intentionally leaving the canvas in the rain. The result was a series of organic shapes in shades of blue and perfect circles formed by raindrops.
Each bookmark is a completely unique fragment of the original canvas and is signed on the back. The string is upcycled from old headphone cords, making these bookmarks completely upcycled. It’s my hope that these can be a fun, cost-effective way to own a piece of my work, while keeping your spot in your favorite book—until the next rainy day lets you cozy up and read again.
About the Artist
Taner Paşamehmetoğlu is a multidisciplinary artist based in Sacramento who uses storytelling and symbolism to explore themes of identity, belonging and sustainability—both of the environment and his heritage.
As a second-generation American who lived in New Mexico, Idaho and Utah before
settling in California, Taner’s life has been profoundly shaped by the dynamic landscapes and history of the American West. Nature not only inspires his work but often acts as a collaborator, as he incorporates repurposed materials and organic effects like wind, heat and rain into his creative practice.
Taner aims to create conversation and community and invites us to reflect on what it means to preserve the places we call home and the stories that connect us.