artists’ books – works on paper – catalogues
you can buy here!
A few years ago in a storeroom at the State Library of Victoria, Rare Books Librarian, Des Cowley, was showing me some artists’ books in the library’s collection when a small label attached to the side of one of the Compactus storage units caught my attention. The label had started to peel and sag. It had taken on a three dimensional appearance, and I loved it. Des sent me this photograph.
It seemed to underline for me all the usual questions already posed and answered about what artists’ books are and yet point to some uncertainties regarding the genre.
Long treated as a soubretta by art museums but championed by library collections, the artist book continues to be treated by artists exactly as it should be, simply as a work of art.
A major exhibition, which dispelled the notion some art museums continue to maintain that they are minor works or simply craft based, was Blood On Paper, held at the V&A in London in 2008. Works by thirty-eight renowned artists were included. One of the largest works in the exhibition was Anselm Kiefer’s The Secret Life of Plants, a unique book of 18 pages in oil on lead and cardboard and was produced by Kiefer for the exhibition. It was the first book I saw when I entered the exhibition space. In fact, it was hard to miss. Its pages are 190 cm high and 140 cm wide and it was displayed standing just inside the entrance with all 18 pages fanned. If it had been allowed, visitors would have walked right inside those fanned pages.
Since its establishment in 1987 grahame galleries + editions has been exhibiting and publishing artists’ books, writing about artists’ books and running the artists’ books fairs. The gallery also maintains the Centre for the Artist Book, a collection of over 500 books, ephemera and a library of exhibition catalogues and related material.
Articles published in the artists’ books + multiples fairs catalogues, other contributions and new articles will be uploaded here.
All the artists’ books are for sale and all underline the importance of the artist book as art.
Artists wishing to submit books for selection should contact the gallery for conditions.