Cultivating a Collection

An artists’ book is an artwork that uses the form of the book as a source for inspiration. Artists use the book as an object to convey expressive content in addition to whatever is stated by the text of the book. Artists’ books rely on the intimacy and interactive quality of books, and the opportunity for viewers to experience art differently over time as pages are turned and perspectives change.

The Clemens Library Artists’ Books was founded in 2008 by Fine Arts Librarian David Malone.  The collection has works representing a continuum from fine press books, where the artistry chiefly amplifies the text, to bookworks, where the art form carries the message. It also contains items for the study of book-related arts, including exemplars of handmade and marbled paper, letterpress broadsides and posters, and representative binding styles. The Welle Book Arts Studio and the Book Arts minor both support, and are supported by, the collection development efforts of the library. Works from students in the minor are added to the libraries’ collection yearly and cataloged alongside other new acquisitions.

The Artists' Books Collection in our digital image library has records for many of the items held by the libraries, and a search of our catalog identifies more.  A selection of collection highlights is on display in Clemens Library.   Artists’ books do not circulate but are available for in-library use.   Ask at the main information desk for assistance.

Browse the Collection

Contact:
Bonnie Finn
[email protected]

Book Arts Between the Lines

In this series of videos, book artists talk about why they chose to work in the book arts, and how their work conveys meaning. This series has been made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: NEH CARES.

Artist's Books and the Experience of Trauma

Book artist Marshall Weber discusses ways artists’ books can act as primary resources documenting the experience of trauma. As examples he refers to a compilation by Iraq Veterans Against the War, showing the experience of veterans, and his own work 11, which recreates the experience of New York City residents on September 11, 2001.

Why Artists' Books

Minneapolis book artist C.B. Sherlock discusses how an artists’ book uses tactile, visual, and text elements to extend the meaning of written works.

The Legacy of Book Arts

Book artist Mary Bruno, of Saint Joseph, Minnesota, reflects on her work as extending the heritage of previous artists, connected to the community where she works and the Benedictine values that have influenced and inspired her.