Why artists make books
Artists' books are not books about art or artists. They are artworks in themselves using the form or concept of the book.
Pierre Cavalan (b. 1954)
(Untitled)
Glebe, NSW: P. Cavalan, 1998
Edition: Unique
Australian Library of Art,
State Library of Queensland
ALAAB CAV
The term was originally coined to describe books which had their origin in the conceptual art movement of the 1960s but artists' books have been present in some form since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Artists' books offer endless possibilities for interpretation. They can be made as one of a kind, in limited editions, or in hundreds or even thousands of copies. Most form just a part of the artist’s practice although some artists make only books. Many are printmakers or digital artists – the multiple copies of their work are perfect for incorporating in editions of books – but painters, photographers, papermakers, textile artists, sculptors, bookbinders, even jewellers make artists’ books and they are all represented in this exhibition.
Materials and media
Artists' books come in all shapes and sizes, and are made from a variety of materials including wood, metal and handmade paper. Some have audio, video, installation or performance components. Images can be paintings, etchings, screenprints, linocuts, photographs, photocopies, papercuts or digital. Found objects are a great source for artists to use in artists' books, providing texts, images and bindings. With the development of the internet, artists have adapted new technologies to create on-line works that they also call books.
Freestyle Books features 60 artists' books from the State Library of Queensland's collection, as well as an electronic artist's book. The exhibition has eight sections selected around the themes of form and content. The sections exploring form include livres d'artistes, altered books, book objects and books using another book form. Artists' books that engage with content are displayed under collaborations, conceptual art, political art and narratives.
Why do artists make books?
Artists may use other media such as painting or printmaking but for some of their work only the book adequately fulfils their idea.
There is affection for the book as an object and a recognition of its long history as a container of information and ideas. The book form also lends authority to its contents. People understand books because they are accustomed to reading them. Books are very intimate artworks. When you read a book, you are in control. Unlike a painting on a wall, you hold it in your hands, you turn the pages, you touch it and smell it. Only you decide how long it will take, and you don't have to share the experience. Artists like the close connection with their audience that they can have through artists' books.
Books are sequential, with ideas and stories building up as each page is turned. This allows complex ideas to be developed within one artwork.
Different binding forms can be used to reinforce an idea, for example a binding that continually folds in on itself could house a never-ending story. Materials used can also relate to and tell part of the story.
Books can be a halfway point between printmaking and sculpture. Many artists see books as a way to extend their practice from two dimensions into three.
State Library artists' books collection
The Australian Library of Art within the State Library has the largest publicly available collection of artists' books in Australia, consisting of around 1000 works. It includes books by both Australian and overseas artists. The donation of the James Hardie Library of Australian Fine Art, now part of the Australian Library of Art, to the State Library in 1988 provided a focus for the collection of this developing art form. Libraries are a natural home for artists' books, although they do require careful handling and the specialised care of our conservators.
The State Library's collection provides access to a wide representation of the artform. It includes works using a diversity of concepts, materials and methods of printmaking, binding, papermaking and other bookmaking technologies. It is used extensively by teachers and lecturers at secondary and tertiary levels, as well as learning for leisure classes, to introduce students to the art form, and to show them the possibilities for their own work. When not on exhibition, these books are available for personal viewing through the reading room on level 4.
Last updated: 25th August 2009
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