Unrestricted: An Exploration of Artist Books

Description

What IS an artist book? That is the question that is impossible to answer. You might say it is art that takes the form of a book... in whatever way you define book. Artists Books can be flat, sculptural, interactive, personal, public, narrative, abstract, linear, disjointed, printed, painted, and/or scratched. They can be elegant calligraphy on translucent handmade paper, or they can be made of trash. They can be large installations or private tiny journeys. In the words of Suze Woolf, one of the artists in this show, the Artist Book “…is a vessel for messages…” Lacking definition and boundaries, the Artist Book gives artists the space to follow idea or gut feeling or glimmer of insight wherever it takes them without the edges of more established art mediums to criticize them. The Artist Book is uncharted land, which arouses delight on its discovery. And for that reason, we artist book makers have come together in this show to share with you the joys and discoveries of our adventures.