World Poetry Day

In honour of World Poetry Day which falls today, the Art Gallery of Ballarat has published a poem written by local poet and concert pianist Bronwyn Blaiklock in response to my painting, Vorticist II, 2004.

To read Bronwyn’s poem, Entanglement, visit the AGB’s Facebook Page HERE or their Instagram Page HERE.

Bronwyn’s poem is a fine example of ekphrastic poetry. For those who are unfamiliar with the form, an ekphrastic poem is one that has been inspired by a work of art. For more about ekphrastic poetry, go HERE. 

Image: Deborah Klein, Vorticist II, 2004. Oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Purchased with funds from the Colin Hicks Caldwell Bequest, 2005. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. © Deborah Klein

Coming soon: BOOKISH Artist Talk at Melbourne Athenaeum Library

As the day draws closer, here is a timely reminder of the artist talk Bronwyn Rees and I will present as part of BOOKISH, an exhibition of artist books curated by the Print Council of Australia and hosted by Melbourne Athenaeum Library. All of the books in this extensive show were created by PCA members. 

Our talk is next Wednesday, March 23, from 6 pm. Full details are at the bottom of this post. 

We will bring along examples of our own works and share some of the stories behind them. Among these will be Progeny, 2018, the one-of-a-kind artist book developed during my time as the library’s artist-in-residence for Melbourne Rare Book Week 2018. Its point of departure was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which celebrated the 200th anniversary of its publication that year. 

Bronwyn and I will also compare and contrast the evolution of our practices during a time of almost relentless change, upheaval and uncertainty.

Using works from the exhibition as examples, we’ll discuss the myriad forms an artist book can take, why so many artists relish working within the confines of the form (or alternatively, choose to expand and reinvent it), the use or omission of text, and why artist books ultimately remain such an enduring visual art form. 

The talk and exhibition are held in conjunction with the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria. 

The BOOKISH artist talk is free. Seats are filling fast, so booking is essential. 

Proudly presented by the Print Council of Australia and

Melbourne Athenaeum Library: 

Wednesday, March 23, 6 - 8 pm

BOOKISH - Artist Talks and Drinks

Speakers: Deborah Klein and Bronwyn Rees

Melbourne Athenaeum Library

Level 1

188 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Email: library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au.

Phone: (03) 9650 3100

BOOKISH runs from March 17 - 26.

Melbourne Athenaeum Library opening hours:

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 10 am - 8 pm

Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Pictured above: Progeny, 2018, unique artist book, pigmented drawing ink, gouache and hand stitching with cloth binding, 16.5 x 91 cm (open) followed by a progress view and detail of the completed work. 

More things BOOKISH

BOOKISH, a major exhibition of artist books by members of the Print Council of Australia opens at Melbourne Athenaeum Library on March 17. 

To mark the occasion, from 6pm on Wednesday March 23, the library will host an evening of artist’s talks and celebratory drinks. Invited speakers are Bronwyn Rees and myself. 

The talk is part of the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria. Its a free event, but RSVPs are essential: 

9650 3100 or library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au.

Back in 2018, I was artist-in-residence at Melbourne Athenaeum Library during Melbourne Rare Book Week and am very much looking forward to returning, if only for an evening. 

Bronwyn and I will be veritable open books as we discuss the widely varied nature of artist books and the making thereof. My contribution will include a show and tell of the projects I worked on during my residency, together with a selection of lino blocks from Illustrated Women, a current artist book in progress. My unbound artist book, Leaves of Absence (2017), acquired by the library as part of my 2018 residency, will also be on display.

Photo 1, top: Lino block from Frankenstein’s Women, a project begun during my library residency; 

Photo 2, above: Pictured with my unbound artist book, Leaves of Absence at Melbourne Athenaeum Library in 2018. (Photo credit: Shane Jones);

Photo 3, below: Your invitation to BOOKISH artist talks and drinks.

For more about all things BOOKISH, scroll down to Blog Post Saturday March 5, or visit my book blog, Moth Woman Press, HERE. 

BOOKISH runs from March 17-19 and March 23-26 during library opening hours.

International Women’s Day 2022

Today is International Women’s Day. Here’s to the cultural, social, economic and political achievements of women, past, present and future, including those whose names we will never know.

Pictured: Unknown Woman, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 12.5 x 12.5 cm.

BOOKISH

 

From March 17 - 26,  Melbourne Athenaeum Library will present BOOKISH, an exhibition of artist books created by members of the Print Council of Australia. Included is my unique concertina book, Cat’s Cradle, 2019.

A collaboration with the Print Council of Australia, BOOKISH is affiliated with the 8th Melbourne Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria.

SAVE THE DATE

As part of BOOKISH, the library will also host an artist talk with former artist-in-residence Deborah Klein and printmaker Bronwyn Rees. Deborah and Bronwyn will speak about the art of making artist books on Wednesday 23rd March at 6pm. The event is FREE but RSVPs are required on 96503100 or library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au. 

- From the Melbourne Athenaeum Library website. 

If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.

The exhibition is open from March 17 - 19 and March 22 - 26. 

For further information, visit my book art blog, MOTH WOMAN PRESS.

Pictured top: Cat’s Cradle, 2019, one-of-a-kind concertina book. Pages: ink and gouache on Khadi paper. Covers: hand-painted and lettered in acrylic on MDF.

Pictured second: BOOKISH invitation featuring ‘Ascent ll’, 2020 (detail), artist book by Bridget Hillebrand.

Work in progress for 100 FACES

Among the projects I’ve been juggling lately is this work in progress, intended for the annual 100 FACES exhibition at Playing in the Attic. This year 100 FACES is part of the Tiny Towns Arts Trail, which falls on Anzac Day long weekend (Friday 22 April – Monday 26 April). The exhibition will continue for a further six weeks.

In recent times, the swan has become something of a personal emblem. Originally I envisioned two self-contained images. But as can sometimes happen, the work directed its own course and soon evolved into a diptych. 

Playing in the Attic also stocks a selection of my books, postcards and zines:

Formerly Ballarat based, Playing in the Attic has recently relocated to nearby Talbot (see below). Its doors will reopen this coming Friday, March 4.

For more about the latest chapter in the history of this “curious extraordinarium of gorgeous things”, visit our sister blog, MOTH WOMAN PRESS. 

Playing in the Attic 

13 Ballaarat Street

Talbot VIC 3371

Opening hours:  Friday - Monday, 10 - 4pm