Anne-Maree Hunter (b. 1965)
Tower of Babel
Newcastle, NSW: Anne-Maree Hunter, 2006
Edition: 3 of 4 copies
Australian Library of Art,
State Library of Queensland
ALAAB HUN
Freestyle books: artists' books from the collection
Freestyle books: artists' books from the collection was displayed in the slq Gallery from 27 Jun – 12 Oct 2008. This virtual exhibition is an excerpt from this exhibition.
Artists' books are not books about art or artists. They are artworks that use the form or concept of the book. Artists' books are infinitely variable. They can be handcrafted or commercially printed; unique, or in limited or unlimited editions. Materials range from the traditional paper to metal, perspex, stone, clay and glass.
Why artists make books
Learn about what is an artist's book and the materials used to make them.
Livres d'artistes
Works using an existing text and high production values, intended for the art market.
Altered books
Existing books which are manipulated to create a completely new artwork.
Book objects
Books as sculptures, or the use of other materials to create works that share some characteristics of a book.
Books using another book form
Reconstructing books such as passports or stamp albums to tell a story, linked in some way to the usage of the original book.
Collaborative works
Works combining the skills of diverse practitioners like artists, writers, binders, printers, photographers and papermakers.
Conceptual works
Artists' books emphasising and communicating ideas rather than the finished product of an art object.
Narratives
Artists make use of the sequential nature of the book to tell stories in ways that may not be expected.
Political works
Increasingly artists are using the format of the book to deliver a political message, reflecting opinions of their society and times.
Virtual artists' books
Turn the pages of two virtual books from the exhibition.
Artists' books eCards
Email one of ten eCards from the exhibition to a friend.
E-artist's book
View the e-artist's book created by Linda Carroli especially for this exhibition. [new window http://www.platial.com/lcarroli/map/95404]
More resources
Download the catalogue from the exhibition [new window 
pdf 1.8MB]
Read more about the State Library's online resources about artists' books:
Artists Books online
A selection of other artists' books from the collection.
Unbound: Artists Books from the collection
A virtual exhibition from a 2006/07 display in the Talbot Family Treasures Wall.
Australian Library of Art
Home of the State Library's artists' books collection.
More information
- Phone: +61 7 3840 7768
- Email: publicprograms@slq.qld.gov.au
- Ask us
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Last updated: 18th November 2008
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