Entries now open, click here to enter.
Entries are open 30 November 2021 – 5 January 2022.
Key Dates:
Barbara Davidson showed a collection of her books at Sydney Contemporary this year.
Our members Helen Mueller, Helen Best, Barbara Davidson, Susan Baran, and Nathalie Hartog-Gautier have books in this show. You can see the show online here.
Enter our new PCA Members Only artists’ book exhibition…
BOOKISH
Details on how to enter are up on the website HERE
On display at the Queen Victoria Museum, Inveresk from 13 March to 19 May 2021.
Looking for Paradise looks at past and present policies that different governments instigated to help or deny entry to people in need of a ‘Safe Heaven’. This project is a reminder of Australia’s responsibility as a first signatory of the United Nation Human Rights Charter.
Over 12 handmade and bound books, Nathalie Hartog-Gautier brings the stories of the migrants, often relegated to the margin of society, to the centre of the page. In parallel to the fate of many refugees, drawings of the Australian bush and botanical specimens are referencing the First Nation people often equally displaced. The books are presented in a barbwire cage alluding to the restrictive movements imposed on refugees.
By gathering designs and motifs across the 12 books that compile Gautier-Hartog’s work, production company Broken Yellow were able to construct small worlds that explore persistent themes in the work; the notion of Australia as paradise, the pursuit of this paradise, and the inexplicable impact Australia’s immigration policies throughout the years have had on those undertaking this pursuit. The reading of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is by real people seeking asylum, and made with the assistance of the Asylum Seekers Centre. Their voices humanise the story told by the imagery, further highlighting Australia’s responsibility as a first signatory of the United Nations Human Rights Charter.
This project has also been done in collaboration with Marta Sengers for developing the online presence of the 12 books.
Looking for Paradise is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW, NAVA Benevolent Fund and Members of the Asylum Seekers Centre community.
State Library Victoria, in partnership with the Baldessin Press, is offering a new artist’s book residency as part of the annual fellowship program.
The Tate Adams Memorial Residency is offered to an artist to accomplish a limited edition or unique state artist’s book, using research from State Library Victoria and the studio facilities at Baldessin Press & Studio.
The Baldessin Press can supply studio access, accommodation and assistance to facilitate the book project in many ways, to the sum of $5000 over the 12-month period.
The recipient also has the opportunity to participate in an event to present their project to the Library, the public and other supporters.
Applications for the 2019–20 fellowship are now open. Fellowship applications must be received by midnight on Sunday 28 April 2019.
The creative content of applications is of primary importance. Along with clearly describing the book’s proposed content, design and appearance as a finished object, applications can include original text, typography, sketches or examples, proposed printmaking components and binding or presentation. Each application will be judged on individual merit, including the artist’s personal conception, expression and definition of book art.
Note: Applicants must include documented and dated images of their work, along with links to any websites where their work is displayed.
If you have specific questions about the Tate Adams Memorial Residency requirements or selection process, contact Gail Schmidt at fellows@slv.vic.gov.au or on 03 8664 7335.
Tate Adams AM (1922–2018) established the artist print department at RMIT in 1960 and championed printmaking throughout Australia. His students included George Baldessin.
Situated in bushland 50 km from Melbourne in St Andrews, the Baldessin Press & Studio is named in memory of artist, printmaker and sculptor George Baldessin (1939–78), who built the bluestone studio in 1971.
