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Australian Library of Art

AND PAPER MAKES BOOKS…

By Anne Scheu | 16 August 2012

The Book and Paper Group from Queensland Spinners Weavers and Fibre Artists visited State Library 23 July to view artists' books with a botanical and nature inspired theme.

This was in response to an invitation by their co-ordinator, Tricia Smout, to collaborate with her as artist-in-residence at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Cootha, in 2012.

Tricia’s artists’ book Nature in focus was included in the selection of 40 works. 

A selection of artists’ books with a botanical and nature inspired themes included:-

Susan Purdy's  - New branches on an old tree  (2006) ALAAB PUR

  • 36 images representing the cycle of the seasons in the Southern Chinese Collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, accompanied by the seasonal diary that the artist maintained during a 12 month residency at the Gardens.

Australian banquet: January 25/26, 1788 - January 26,

  • A double-sided cyanotype on rice paper showing traditional Aboriginal foods and implements on one side and a colonial table setting indicative of the First Fleet on the other side. When held up to the light the images on both sides mingle, suggesting an interrelationship.

Weed habitat

  • An artists’ book consisting of leaves of translucent drafting paper, illustrated with botanical drawings and watercolours mainly depicting the weeds that grow on the artist's property in northern New South Wales, some painted directly onto the book's leaves, while other smaller, post-card size paintings are taped in to the book.

Log book

  • Made of six pieces (20 x 15 x 1 cm. approx) of camphor laurel and one additional piece on the spine, all bound together with natural fibre rope; a wooden key ring and name tag attached, representing the logbook of a motor vehicle journey. The wood is carved and screenprinted with a map, keys, road signs, tyre tracks, etc.

River, plants, birds

  • Also a unique item, comprised of various found objects and papers, gelatine printing, collage, stitching, feathers, linen thread and beads, the text links to the ecology of the Capricornia region of Queensland.

Anne Scheu, Library Technician, Australian Library of Art

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