correlations between independent publishing and artists book practice

Abstract

This exhibition of books (and supporting catalogue) was curated by Tim Mosely and is the outcome of a Griffith Centre for Creative Arts Research (GCCAR) research grant. The books were selected to address the question - To what degree can/does independent publishing’s engagement with the field of artists book shape creative practice within the field, and inform the emerging critical discourse on it? The exhibition and catalogue contribute to the field of artists book discourse. Within an Australian context artists books are commonly associated with fine arts practice and the aesthetics of autographic printmaking. The striated machine aesthetic of printed matter from the design, printing and publishing industries are far less prevalent. This point was highlighted by Dr Amir Brito Cadôr (Professor of Graphic Arts at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil) during his keynote lecture at the State Library of Queensland's 2015 Siganto Foundation Artists Book Seminar. Cadôr’s observation was made in contrast to the Brazilian context of artists books, generally produced within the machine aesthetic of the commercial printing industry. He nominated the scarcity of accessible printmaking studios in Brazil as a significant factor for this quality.

The exhibition comprises a collection of 30 books selected to identify intersections between independent publishing and artists book practice. The books document Australian practices in tandem with a broad selection of international artists books. The primary outcome is the collection that can be readily transported across the globe and is supported by a catalogue documenting the collection that includes critical essays by T Mosely, S Bodman and M Crawford. Over 30 copies of the catalogue have been placed in Art Libraries across the globe. The exhibition was initially shown in the "... & So" exhibition at Griffith Library QCA 2017 and has travelled nationally and internationally.