State Library of Queensland > Collections > Australian art > Artists' Books collection

ARTISTS' BOOKS COLLECTIONS

Untitled by Luke Roberts, 1990, Call No. ALAAB ROB

The garden by Katharine Nix, 2003, Call No. ALAAB NIX

In the beginning far off in the dreamtime by Helen Malone, Brisbane, 1993, Call No. ALAAB MAL

Memory loss by Scott L. McCarney, Rochester, ca. 1988, Call No. ALAAB MCC

Vessels by Adele Outteridge, Brisbane, 2004, Call No. ALAAB OUT

Artists' books are artworks that use the form or the concept of a book. Free from the constraints of traditional publishing, they are about nothing so much as themselves. They can be handcrafted or commercially printed; unique; or in limited or unlimited editions. Forms range from the traditional codex to sculptural works, or they may have audio, video, installation, online and performance components.

The State Library of Queensland has the largest publicly available collection of artists' books in Australia and the collection is recognised as one of the best in Australia, consisting of around 1000 works featuring both Australian and overseas artists. The collection includes works using a diversity of materials and methods of printmaking, binding, papermaking and other bookmaking technologies and wide ranging conceptual frameworks.

How do I access items in this collection?

Access at the State Library of Queensland

Find items in the collection via our One Search catalogue.
Browse Level 4 or request items from onsite ‘Closed Access’ storage with your e-services card. If you order Closed Access items via the One Search catalogue ahead of your visit, items should be waiting for you when you arrive. You can order up to 3 days in advance. See delivery times for more information.
Use our e-collections computers on level 2 to search the library’s catalogue; to search our databases for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles and to view images and manuscripts from our collection. These e-collections computers do not need to be booked and have no time limits on their use.
You can also access our electronic resources via the State Library’s free wireless service if you have a laptop. Check our Info Guide on how to access wireless for details.

Access offsite

You can access selected offsite databases to search for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles. You will be prompted to login with your e-services card or QPL account.
Some State Library items are available for loan to other libraries. Contact your local library for information about interlibrary loan and copy services.

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Last updated: 17th May 2012

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