SUMMER READING LISTS 2015: LONDON CENTRE FOR BOOK ARTS
June 10, 2015
A Book of Cuts, Edward Bawden A collection of linocuts by Edward Bawden. Bawden was an influential English printmaker, graphic designer, illustrator and painter. The linocuts cleverly reference traditional woodcuts but always remain new and often playful.
Artists' Books: A Critical Anthology and Sourcebook, ed. Joan Lyons A collection of essays on the subject of artists' books, with contributions from Lucy Lippard, Clive Phillpot and Ulises Carrión, among others. One of the first in-depth published works about artists' book works; we still find it a useful resource 30 years after its first publication.
The 9 Lives of Ray the Cat Jones, Stewart Home A more or less straightforward novel from writer, artist, performer and a bit of a trouble-maker, Stewart Home. Published by Hackney-based Test Centre, who have been steadily publishing important new poetry and fiction since 2011.
Publishing in the Realm of Plant Fibers and Electrons, Temporary Services Temporary Services produces exhibitions, events, projects, and publications. We've always admired what they do and how they do it. Publishing in the Realm of Plant Fibers and Electrons is a long-form essay about their ongoing publishing practice and their thoughts on independent/artist-led publishing particularly in light of recent technological and market developments.
Song and Words: A History of the Curwen Press, Herbert Simon A lovely account of the Curwen Press, the printers and publishers famed for their designs as much as their revolutionary approach to printing and publishing in the first half of the 20th Century. An ethos partly inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, the press developed close working relationships with respected contemporary artists of the time, including Edward Bawden and Eric Gill.
You Who Read Me With Passion Must Forever Be My Friends, Dorothy Iannone Dorothy Iannone has been making artist’s books, paintings, drawings, sculptures, sound pieces and video installations since the 60s. A couple of years ago, we had the pleasure of visiting a major exhibition of her work at the Camden Art Centre. You Who Read Me reproduces her work, often dense with text and imagery, and gives us a chance to really take it all in.
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The London Centre for Book Arts is a project by artists Simon Goode and Ira Yonemura. The Centre opened in 2012, the studio supports and promotes book arts and artist-led publishing, offering access to resources and a space for knowledge sharing. Taking cues from other 'book centres' Goode and Yonemura have tried to re-imagine and build a new model for this type of service from the ground up. They do really beautiful work, and their new tote bag is going everywhere with us our own summer wanderings this year. Thanks, Ira & Simon!
Images by Ira Yonemura.
Click images for more info on each book/author.