Mark Twain once said, "The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”

This mixed-media assemblage celebrates the enduring power of language and the literary legacy of one of America's greatest authors. Displayed on a vintage velvet base is an exceptionally rare 1851 edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, symbolizing the importance of the written word. Framed by elegant brass bookends from around 1910 is a collection of significant Twain volumes, including an 1876 edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; an 1886 leather-bound volume containing The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; and a 1916 edition of The Boys' Life of Mark Twain by Albert Bigelow Payne, Twain's authorized biographer. A child's book carrier from Twain's era and a vintage portrait of the author complete the composition. Together, these rare historical artifacts form a sculptural meditation on language, memory, and Twain‘s enduring influence on American literature.

Artist Statement and Biography

After a career in advertising (formerly CEO of Cincinnati-based Northlich), Mark's love for great design, primitive antiques and unusual found objects all converged to form his creation of assemblages.

"Some works convey a message, some an outgrowth of a  personal story, some a flight of fantasy and others are simply compositions that just look and feel right.  Each one has been put through the torture test of long stares.   My work aims to give very special found objects a new life and context."

A collection of Serrianne assemblages were exhibited in February, 2017 at the juried national show of the American Craft Council in Baltimore, Maryland.