Artists Books

In a sense, every book in the art library is an artist's book.  However, there is a specific catagory of books created or conceived by artists, perhaps best described by Stephen Bury in Artists' books : the book as a work of art, 1963-1995:

 "Artists' books are books or book-like objects over the final appearance of which an artist has had a high degree of control; where the book is intended as a work of art in itself." 

Both the Sherman Art Library, and the Rauner Special Collections Library have unique collections of artists books. Librarians Laura Graveline & Jay Satterfield, and Book Arts Workshop  Manager Sarah Smith, would be happy to meet with you, to show you artists' books that could relate to your research and projects.

Checkout the Book Arts Workshop in the library, to learn how to make your own books!

Sample searches in the Library Catalog:

• See the Artists Book Terminology list, for more search suggestions

• Be sure to look at the whole catalog entry, includng the notes, these can give you more clues about the book

• Try limiting your search to Special Collections

Terminology:

• accordion fold
• bookbinding
• clam shell box
• colophon
• concertina
• coptic binding
• flip book
• hand made paper
• letterpress
• pop up
• scroll
• stab binding
• vellum

Art Movements:

• Artists Books
• Conceptual Art
• Fluxus
• Mail Art