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Image: 'Manawa" by Toni Hartill
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A
selection of artist books, from the Angela Morton Room | Te Pātaka
Toi Art Library and contemporary Tamaki Makaurau
artists, has been gathered from out of library cupboards and artists’ studios
to share with and inspire a wider audience. These seldom seen treasures offer a
glimpse into the sculptural possibilities of artists’ books – “books” made by
artists, challenging the very concept of what a “book” can be. We often think
of books fondly as something you enjoy on holiday at the beach. This exhibition
aims to open your mind to just some of the possibilities.
From
artists’ studios by: Beth
Serjeant,
Elizabeth Steiner, Celia Walker, Toni Mosley, Toni Hartill.
From
the special collection by: John Denny, Brian Gregory, Judith
Haswell, Bronwyn Lloyd of Pania
Press, Glenna Matcham,
Colin McCahon,
Judith O’Rourke, Elizabeth (Beth) Serjeant,
Sydney Shep,
Paul Thompson, Claire Van Vliet.
September
26th
– December 24th,
2020
Open
Daily on Level 1, Takapuna Library
Scroll down to see details of our upcoming EVENT
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Toni Mosley
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Contemporary printmaker and book artist Toni Mosley and I have curated this exhibition in collaboration with Leanne Radojkovich,
research librarian at the Angela Morton Room, Takapuna Library,
Auckland. The idea came about as a result of Toni and I searching for a
suitable venue for another artists' books exhibition we were involved with.
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Elizabeth Steiner
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The Takapuna library wasn't a suitable venue due to the size and number of many
of the works of the other exhibition however, it immediately became apparent that the Angela
Morton Room was an incredible resource that "needs" to be highlighted and the available exhibition space was perfect for a curated show.
In collaboration with Leanne's wonderful passion for the books and the
artists, we turned our energies to bringing about this exhibition. We have pulled together works from the
collection and added works from practicing Auckland artists working in the
genre of artists' books, with a view to raising the profile of artists
books and introducing the concept to a wider audience. We intentionally
chose books that would represent a wide range of structures and formats
that would challenge the concept of what a book can be.
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Paul Thompson, Sydney Shepp, Glenda Matcham, Wai-te-Ata Press
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One of the many treats of putting together this exhibition has been the gathering of the many rich and entrancing stories behind the creation of the works. With the help of Leanne we aim to share many of these stories with our audience.
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Beth Serjeant shares the story behind the creation of her work "Hone"
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Already
the exhibition has had a great response. Many people have responded
that they have enjoyed their visit and are incredulous that such a
treasure trove exists within our midst.
You can read a review of the exhibition by print artist Ina Arraoui here.
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Celia Walker
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We are excited to announce our upcoming EVENT:
Opening the Cupboards
View the artists’ books in all
their 3D, tactile glory!
Come
and view the artists’ books outside of the display
cupboards,
being handled and manipulated,
the way they are meant to be fully
appreciated.
Meet
some
of the artists, hear the stories behind
the making of
the books and how they were made, talk to the research librarian
about the books from the special collection.
Angela
Morton
Room, Te Pātaka Toi | Art Library
Level 1, Takapuna library.
Friday
13th
November, 10am – 2pm.
Drop
in anytime, no bookings required.
All welcome.
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Image: "Hone" by Beth Serjeant
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For images of all of the exhibited books, closer glimpses
and some of the stories behind the books
visit our social media pages:
Instagram:
@outofthecupboardnz
and
Facebook:
@outofthecupboardnz
Also follow the
@angelamorton.room Instagram page
for updates and further insights
into the Angela Morton Room.
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Colin McCahon
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Bronwyn Lloyd, Pania Press
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