Artitsts' Books : images covered and strories told

20 July 2005 - 27 August 2005

Artists' books were created out of images made and stories written by artists who attend the innovative studio program at APA. Artists include: Steven Ajzenberg, Fulli Andrinopoulos, Barbara Ball, Peter Ben, Dorothy Berry, Valerio Ciccone, Scott Ferguson, Sandra Fielding, Fiona Longhurst, Wayne Marnell, Julian Martin, Jodie Noble, Chris O'Brien, Cathy Staughton, Peter Robert Thomas, Shirley Warke and Terry Williams.

The Artists Books presented in this exhibition make deliberate connections with the artists' lives and the world around them with people, animals and landscapes as dominant themes. In the studio, the artists sustained their interest over a period of time in the process of book making, which is different to their usual approach of art making where images are sometimes created in hours or in a day. Some of the artists in this context also consider themselves storytellers as many of the books are not coincidental and have complimentary stories told with text.

Artists' images are bound together, hidden in covers of various shapes and sizes, ensuring your curiosity and desire to want to open them up. These books are more intimate than a piece of artwork on the wall. Every book uncovers pages of new images, a surprise with every turn and something unexpected as each artist's story is told.

Artists' Books: images covered and stories told exhibition is an opportunity to experience many images between the covers, which tell their own stories. For the most part, books are mechanically produced in multiples. However, in this exhibition the artists' books are handmade and one of a kind. The illustrations or images featured in these books are unique, created by painting, spraying, drawing, or colour copying - a few with accompanying text.

Our guest speaker on Opening Night is Nick Doslov from Renaissance Bookbinding. Nick first started in the bookbinding industry in 1977. He has undertaken various projects including one-off book designs and boxes, artists' books, limited editions and the restoration and conservation of rare 16th and 17th century books.