MFA [i.e. MFA Studies] submission

In attempting to combine words and images, pieces of literature and poetry, I came up with the idea of developing a cookery book (which I would like to write, illustrate and design). I see this as capable of providing an elaborate metaphor for a culture, in this case that of Russia. In preparing this book I will be using the selected works of Russian writers such as Nabokov, Bulgakov, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Gogol, Chekhov and others, searching for images and descriptions of food, of meals and of manners which can be incorporated into a recipe book. I would like not so much to illustrate the dishes themselves but rather to explore in illustrations particular historical epochs and to examine the culture and traditions of the time as well as showing the individuality of each writer.