Image Explorations : Artist Books and Printed Matter

Some brief background

Artists' books are art works realized in the form of a book. They are often published in small editions, though sometimes they are produced as one-of-a-kind objects referred to as one off art objects.

Artists' books have employed a wide range of forms, including scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas or loose items contained in a box as well as bound printed sheet. Artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, but the artist's book is primarily a late 20th century form.

"Artists' books are books or book-like objects over the final appearance of which an artist has had a high degree of control; where the book is intended as a work of art in itself." Stephen Bury from Wikipedia

The book as a form has often been used to circulate a work, outside of the gallery space, that one has a physical and personal relationship to (one holds a book in one’s hand or pocket). This has been done to subvert oppressive political power, and disseminate radical ideas

Ed Rushca