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.

LEAVES OF ABSENCE LAUNCH

Pictured above and below: selected highlights of yesterday evening’s memorable launch of my artist book, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, at one of this city’s treasures, the Melbourne Athenaeum Library. Warmest thanks to everyone who came. I couldn’t have wished for more convivial company or a finer setting. Special thanks to Marguerite Brown, Manager, Print Council of Australia, for her terrific opening address, also to the library’s Business Manager, Sue Westwood and librarian Tom Coleman for the time, effort and thought they put into every facet of the event, including the elegant display of my work. 

Hand painted silhouettes on eucalyptus leaves, the basis for the images in
LEAVES OF ABSENCE (see directly below) 

With Marguerite Brown, Manager, Print Council of Australia, whose opening address was one of the evening's high points

L-R: Shane Jones, Sue Westwood, Business Manager, Athenaeum Library, and
Marguerite Brown  

For more about the event, visit Moth Woman Press HERE.

LEAVES OF ABSENCE: 2017 FAC Arts Centre Print Award finalist and a recent acquisition

Page view of Leaves of Absence, 2017, artist book, archival inkjet prints, cloth cover,
edition: 10 plus 1 artist proof, 32.5 x 25.5 x 4.0 cm (closed) 32.5 x 55.0 x 4 cm (open).
Printer: Luke Ingram.

Further to my last post announcing that Leaves of Absence (2017) is a finalist in the 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards, the artist book has been shortlisted for the 2017 Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award.

As followers of this blog will be aware, the book was recently exhibited in Between the Sheets - International artists' books 2017 at Gallery East, Perth WA and Australian Galleries Melbourne. As the show finished its Melbourne run, I was delighted to learn that Leaves of Absence has been acquired for the permanent collection of Monash University Library.

For selected views of the book in situ at Australian Galleries (superbly photographed by Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison) go to Moth Woman Press HERE.