In Worlds of Imagination, artist Laura Shabazz captures something profoundly familiar to lovers of literature: the immersive, transportive power of reading. The mixed media collage presents two simultaneous perspectives: the external act of reading and the internal journey it sparks. At first glance, we see a woman engrossed in a book, her face partially obscured by the pages. But as our eyes wander, we begin to see what she sees, or more precisely, what she feels. The characters from the story she’s reading emerge from the pages and swirl around her, blurring the line between reality and imagination.
This artwork is crafted entirely from salvaged materials: illustrated pages from discarded books and fragments of magazines that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The juxtaposition of detailed book illustrations and soft-edged, torn magazine scraps creates a dynamic visual tension that mirrors the balance between the physical and imagined worlds.
The Visual Language of Storytelling
Laura Shabazz’s technique is as compelling as her subject. She does not sketch her collages in advance. Instead, she lets the materials guide the composition, allowing for serendipity and surprise. In Worlds of Imagination, the reader’s figure appears grounded and still, while the surrounding characters and imagery are in motion, almost dreamlike. The paper scraps she selects often retain fragments of text, illustrations, or aged textures, making each element a relic with its own past.
The muted color palette is punctuated with bursts of vibrancy, suggesting moments of emotional intensity within the story being imagined. The reader’s immersion becomes our own. This is an artwork that rewards close attention: a torn corner of text here, a partial illustration there. These layered components come together into a narrative mosaic that invites the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the piece.
The Meaning Beneath the Surface
Beyond its visual beauty, Worlds of Imagination offers a powerful reflection on sustainability, memory, and the personal power of stories. The use of rescued books and magazines is not just an artistic decision. It is an expression of Laura Shabazz’s philosophy, reclaiming what is discarded and reimagining its potential. The books may be damaged and the magazines outdated, but in her hands, they are transformed into vessels of wonder and renewal.
This approach reflects the artist’s own journey. Laura Shabazz creates art as a form of healing and transformation. Her collages embody resilience, shaped by a process of deconstruction and rebuilding. Through her work, she invites us to consider not only what we read but also what we carry with us, how our internal worlds are shaped by narrative, and how even fragmented memories can be pieced together into something whole.
Art That Belongs in Living Spaces
For interior designers and collectors, Worlds of Imagination offers more than aesthetic appeal. It brings conversation and emotional resonance into any space. The artwork prompts reflection, making it ideal for home libraries, reading nooks, creative studios, or even calming professional environments. It fits beautifully with interiors that embrace natural textures, warm tones, vintage elements, or a mix of the old and new.
Laura Shabazz’s work especially resonates with clients who value intentional living. Her practice of using only salvaged paper speaks to a growing interest in sustainable and mindful design. In an age of overconsumption and digital overload, her work is a grounding reminder of tactile creativity and thoughtful reuse.
About the Artist
Laura Shabazz is a New Jersey-based collage artist who builds entire visual worlds using only salvaged paper. Her materials include discarded book pages, outdated magazines, and other found media. She works without preliminary sketches, allowing the process itself to guide the story. Each collage she creates is a reflection of her intuitive approach, one that values spontaneity, emotional depth, and environmental care.
Laura’s work is rooted in personal transformation. Her artistic journey is one of healing and storytelling of breaking apart what is no longer needed and reassembling it into something beautiful and whole. She lives with her husband and daughter, drawing daily inspiration from the small and quiet moments of everyday life. Her pieces are not only visual compositions but deeply emotional meditations on memory, presence, and the richness found in the overlooked.
Final Thoughts
Worlds of Imagination is not just a portrait of a reader; it is a portrait of all of us who find escape, growth, and self-discovery in books. Laura Shabazz invites viewers to step inside the mind of someone lost in a story and, in doing so, reflect on their own relationship with reading, creativity, and memory.
For collectors, interior designers, and curators seeking art that speaks to both heart and home, Laura Shabazz’s collage work offers a unique blend of narrative depth, handmade elegance, and ecological consciousness. Worlds of Imagination is more than a piece of art. It is an invitation to reconnect with stories, with ourselves, and with the beauty hidden in the discarded.
