Artists’ books in profile

May 1 2009 by Sara Bain, Dumfries Standard Friday

ART has many faces but perhaps one of the most interesting has to be the artists’ book.

These curious artforms are in their own right, works of art realised in the form of a book.

Often published in very limited editions or developed as one-offs, these books take on many different forms and traverse a wide range of materials and concepts.

Emerging mainly in the late 20th century, so still relatively new to the art world, there is much debate over artists’ books: whether they come under the heading of fine art or craft; how to define them; and even where to put the apostrophe.

A group of Dumfries and Galloway artists are raising the profile of artists’ books.

Under the collective name of IRIS, Linda Mallett, Hugh Bryden, Denise Zygadlo, Robbie Coleman, Jeremy Carlisle, Andy Priestman and Julian Watson, have joined forces in an effort to highlight their importance and appeal.

“What is an artist’s book?” explained Linda, “Quite simply, it is a book that has been conceived and made as a work of art.

“It may be unique or produced in an edition, printed, drawn, sculpted, or assembled using any medium by any kind of artist, alone or collaboratively.

“They can be intricately made objects of jewel-like detail, books which deconstruct the concept, animated flap-books, or sculptural pieces.

It is with this in mind that an important international exhibition of artists’ books, will open at Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries, during the Spring Fling weekend.

It aims to showcase artists’ books to a wide audience and dispel a few misconceptions.

“The artists’ book is not just a book about artists and their works,” said Linda, “but an actual work of art.

“Some don’t have words, some don’t even have images, they cross a very broad range and can appeal to all audiences and not just an art audience.”

Seventy international artists, including six from this region, have been selected to show up to seven book-works each on the theme of place, identity and memory.

“We wanted to do something sustainable and different,” added Denise, “something that would also appeal to people outside the artworld.

“We hope that this exhibition will offer people more than just an opportunity to wander around and look at things. There will be chances to interact with some of the exhibits as well as talk about them. We want to make it an enjoyable experience for people.”

The exhibition will tour the region until October when, to coincide with the Wigtown Book festival, it will be in Stranraer.

IRIS was first formed in 2007 specifically to develop awareness of artists’ books in Scotland and to make Dumfries and Galloway a recognised centre for this art form.

A programme of artist-led workshops, seminars and artist-curated exhibitions in association with colleges, schools, galleries and literary groups is proposed and approaches have been made to found an archive within the Crichton’s university campus.

Place, identity, memory, gathering work from all over the world, is an important international event.

“The informal context of the exhibition will offer a rare chance to see the broad spectrum of artists’ books outside the museum context, to actually handle the works of art and turn their pages, so much part of the experience special to artists’ books,” added Kate.

The exhibition runs from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, June 28.

For further information about IRIS email irisbookart@googlemail.com