FINE IMPRESSIONS: printmaking and artists' books in Melbourne 1999–2010
Co-curated by Des Cowley and Robert Heather

Friday 26th August 2011 – Thursday 16th February 2012

Cowen Gallery, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Fine impressions: printmaking and artists' books in Melbourne 1999–2010 showcases beautiful limited-edition books by 20 Melbourne artists and printmakers.

In the digital era the future of the printed book seems uncertain, yet the handmade artist's book is a flourishing artform. Each of these works is unique in its use of design, typography, paper and binding, both drawing upon and extending the history and tradition of the book.

The artists featured include Petr Herel, Angela Cavalieri, Daniel Moynihan, Bruno Leti, Inge King, Peter Lyssiotis, Carolyn Fraser, George Matoulas, Susan Purdy, Lyn Ashby, Martin King, Tommaso Durante, Theo Strasser, John Ryrie, Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison.

From the catalogue essay by Des Cowley and Robert Heather:
... Artists Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison used their computer to construct elaborate collages featuring furry animals at play in 18th-century interiors, which were then printed as four-colour lithographic offset prints and bound concertina style.

... The select group of artists and printers featured in this survey make books that reflect the beauty of the form while at the same time challenging our notion of what a book is. Working with both traditional and modern methods, they have drawn upon the primary elements of the book — design, typography, paper, binding — to create handmade, limited-edition works of art that reinforce the uniqueness and mystery of books.

Beautiful books on show
A small SLV film on artists' books


Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison
Objects gathered from recent reads (I) (detail)
2008
artists' book