Paper Universe: The Book as Art
In the Paper Universe: The Book As Art, the State Library of New South Wales offers an introduction to its rich works on paper collection. The exhibition features artists’ books from Australia and beyond. Among featured artists are Judy Watson, Ed Ruscha, Wendy Sharpe and Bill Henson. Exploring categories from the natural sciences to the personal, curator Maria Savvidis foregrounds the inspirations that result in an artists’ book, which complements the library’s own collection, reflecting the rich varieties of forms they may take, from the largest, which measures 40 metres, to a small bookcase of handmade stories. The Book as Art captures the seemingly endless ways artists reimagine and utilise the book. The balance on which the artists’ book resides, not quite a book but also not quite an expected artwork, provides a challenge to preconceived notions of purpose and form; the possibilities presented seem endless. This rare insight into the State Library of NSW’s collection runs until May 3, 2026.
Image credit: PENNY EVANS, Proof, 2015. Courtesy of State Library of NSW
