Invited presentation: I have had the absolute pleasure of learning about the history and development of the artist's book in Australia through the work of individuals such as Helen Cole, Des Cowley, Marian Crawford, Caren Florance, Noreen Grahame, Robert Heather and Tim Mosely.
The range and complexities of incredible student practices coming out of studios such as QCA are inspirational. There are amazing collections at SLV and SLQ.
The contemporary ABBE and historical Mackay events and Libris Awards promote the rich and wonderful stories of artists' books practice in Australia and New Zealand.
This presentation looks at how far some of these ideas, artworks, event outcomes and practices have travelled, and how important they have been in shaping conversations and influencing international practice, and what contemporary practitioners in other countries can learn from them.
We can think about how we can connect up beyond geographical constraints. Lets erase all the maps and think collaboratively about how we can make some new ones together.
Presentation Conference Type
Presentation / Talk
Conference Name
Mapping Australia’s Artists Book Histories: A Group Effort’.
Start Date
Jul 5, 2025
End Date
Jul 6, 2025
Acceptance Date
Jun 11, 2025
Online Publication Date
Jul 6, 2025
Publication Date
Jul 6, 2025
Deposit Date
Jun 28, 2025
Publicly Available Date
Jul 1, 2025
Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Keywords
artists' books, artists' publications, artist books, Australia
This exciting two-day conference brings into focus the innovative world of artists book practice in Australia.
Practising artists, postgraduate students and professionals in the field will present papers examining two distinct themes – ‘Contemporary Artists Book Practice’ and ‘Mapping Australia’s Artists Book Histories: A Group Effort’. In a first for the conference, abbe has formed two compelling new partnerships in their ambition to advance and celebrate.
Organised by abbe, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University,
Australian artists book practice, joining forces with Artspace Mackay with their nationally renowned Libris Awards, and globally acclaimed ‘The Blue Notebook: Journal for Artists‘ Books’.
