Baldoviso, Del

Breeden, Georgia

Butler, Emily

Digweed, Amanda

Else, Davina

Elwell, Aurora

Fitzgibbon, Sonia

Giles, Cindy

Johnson, Rhiannan Patricia

Mangakahia, Anita

Spurrier, Stephen

Walker, Linsey

Yates, Kathryn

University of Southern Queensland ePrints

UNDER	  THE	  COVERS	  	  	  	  DEL	  BALDOVISO	   	  	  	  /	   	   	   GEORGIA	   BREEDEN	   	   	   /	   	   	   EMILY	   BUTLER	  AMANDA	  DIGWEED	   	   	   /	   	   	  DAVINA	  ELSE	   	   	   /	   	   	  RORA	  ELWELL	   	   	   /	   	   	  CINDY	  GILES	   	   	   /	   	   	   SONIA	   JANE	   	   	   /	   	   	  RHI	   JOHNSON	   	   	   /	   	   	  ANITA	  MANGAKAHIA	  	  	  	  	  STEPHEN	   SPURRIER	   	   	   /	   	   	   LINSEY	   WALKER	   	   	   /	   	   	   KATHRYN	   YATES	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  Under	  the	  Covers	  15	  November	  –	  12	  December	  2019	  Dunmore	  Gallery	  Toowoomba	  Dr.	  Rhi	  Johnson	  	  Under	  the	  Covers	  is	  a	  group	  exhibition	  that	  addresses	  artists’	  books	  in	  the	  21st	  Century.	  	  The	  term	   ‘artist’s	   book’	   became	  prominent	   during	   the	   1970s,	   and	   is	   used	   to	   describe	   a	  work	  that	   assumes,	   or	   refers	   to,	   the	   form	   of	   a	   book.	   	   That	   is	   to	   say,	   that	   these	   works	   are	  necessarily	  differentiated	  from	  catalogues	  or	  other	  books	  that	  refer	  to	  artworks	  that	  exist	  externally	  to	  the	  object,	  the	  artist’s	  book	  is	  the	  resolved	  work	  in	  and	  of	  itself.	  While	   derived	   from	   aspects	   of	   traditional,	   often	   codex,	   books,	   artists’	   books	   cannot	   be	  simply	   categorised	   by	   a	   set	   of	   material	   or	   aesthetic	   qualities,	   nor	   conceptual	   concerns.	  	  There	  are,	  however,	  certain	  trends	  that	  emerge,	  such	  as	  a	  sole	  or	  predominant	  reliance	  on	  imagery	  and	  visual	  communication,	  altered	  or	  unconventional	  modes	  of	  construction,	  and	  unusual	  or	  unexpected	  content.	   	  These	  works	  often	  exist	  as	  a	  unique	  state,	  or	  as	  a	   small	  edition.	  Related	   in	   some	   ways	   to	   artists’	   books	   are	   zines,	   which	   are	   generally	   inexpensive,	   self-­‐published	   works	   made	   in	   small	   editions,	   often	   using	   a	   photocopier.	   	   The	   rise	   of	   such	  publications	   historically	   coincided	   with	   the	   general	   public’s	   increased	   accessibility	   to	  photocopiers,	   which	   afforded	   individuals	   the	   opportunity	   to	   circulate	   written	   and	   visual	  information	   without	   the	   constraints	   of	   any	   governing	   body.	   	   The	   resultant	   works	   often	  target	  niche	  markets	  in	  terms	  of	  activism,	  fan-­‐fiction,	  art,	  explicit	  content,	  or	  anything	  that	  may	  be	  deemed	  unsuitable	  for	  mainstream	  media.	  Under	   the	   Covers	   showcases	   the	   work	   of	   thirteen	   artists	   who	   practice	   in	   the	   fields	   of	  contemporary	   artists’	   books	   and	   zines.	   	   There	   are	   more	   than	   60	   works	   shown	   in	   this	  exhibition,	   and	   both	   the	   forms	   constructed	   and	   the	   content	   put	   forward	   is	   varied	   and	  innovative.	  	  Works	  such	  as	  Chromatic	  Ophidian	  by	  Sonia	  Jane	  and	  From	  Mayhem	  to	  Mellow	  by	  Cindy	  Giles	  engage	  the	  viewer	  by	  means	  of	  vibrant	  colour	  and	  unexpected	  form.	   	  Both	  works	  physically	   stretch	  beyond	   the	  constraints	  of	  a	   traditional	  book	  object,	  and	  become	  sculptural	  in	  their	  reception	  and	  handling.	  Emily	   Butler’s	  Unraveling	   also	   blurs	   the	   boundaries	   between	   book	   object	   and	   sculpture,	  with	  the	  subtle	  inclusion	  of	  an	  unraveling	  ball	  of	  yarn.	  	  This	  puts	  forward	  a	  sense	  of	  implied	  movement,	  and	  further	  prompts	  the	  viewers	  gaze	  to	  travel	  back	  and	  forth	  over	  the	  pages.	  	  Davina	  Else’s	  works	  Clowning	  Around	  Vol	  1-­‐2	  also	  introduce	  a	  subtle	  sculptural	  elements	  by	  incorporating	   clay	   faces	   onto	   the	   covers	   of	   the	   miniature	   book	   objects.	   	   These	   are	  expressive	  yet	  elusive,	  and	  seemingly	  androgynous.	  	  This	  ambiguous	  yet	  engaging	  quality	  is	  mirrored	   throughout	   the	  pages	  of	   the	  work,	  as	   the	  artist	  presents	   fragmented	  visual	  and	  textual	  elements	  for	  the	  viewer’s	  reinterpretation.	  Many	  other	  works	  in	  Under	  the	  Covers	  engage	  the	  viewer	  through	  various	  departures	  from	  the	  conventional	  book	  form.	   	  Anita	  Mangakahia’s	  Eco	  Garden	   is	  comprised	  of	   loose	  pages	  that	  are	  housed	   in	  a	   clamshell	  box.	   	   The	  pages	   reveal	  delicate	   tones,	   textures	  and	  marks	  that	  are	  derived	  from	  foliage	  and	  natural	  dyes.	   	  Some	  pages	  have	  cutouts,	  and	  others	  are	  printed	  on	  transparent	  paper,	  both	  of	  which	  encourage	  the	  viewer	  to	  engage	  in	  their	  own	  acts	  of	  ordering	  and	   layering.	   	  Also	  derived	   from	  elements	  of	  nature,	  Amanda	  Digweed’s	  Bodhi	   is	  an	  exploratory	  children’s	  book	  that	   is	  nonetheless	  engaging	   for	   the	  curious	  of	  all	  ages.	   	   In	   this	  work,	   viewers	   are	   presented	  with	   prompts	   to	   search,	  move,	   rearrange	   and	  generally	  engage	  with	  the	  elements	  presented	  or	  hidden	  within	  the	  pages.	   	  Both	  of	  these	  works	  necessitate	  physical	  engagement,	  and	  further	  encourage	  the	  viewer	  to	  assume	  a	  kind	  of	  active	  role	  in	  manipulating	  the	  elements	  of	  the	  works.	  Linsey	   Walker’s	   I	   don’t	   know	   where	   my	   towel	   is	   also	   challenges	   book	   conventions,	   in	  content	   rather	   than	   form.	   	  Walker’s	   title	   is	   ambiguous	   in	   general,	   but	   specific	   for	   certain	  viewers…	  a	  trait	  that	  is	  mirrored	  in	  the	  content	  of	  the	  work.	  	  For	  those	  who	  recognise	  the	  imagery,	   and	   therefore	   how	   to	   engage	  with	   it,	   the	   physical	   pages	   redirect	   the	   viewer	   to	  seemingly	  disparate	  digital	  content.	  Georgia	  Breeden’s	   I’m	  a	  Goat	  and	  Del	  Baldoviso’s	  My	  Week	  are	   representative	  of	   the	  art	  zines	  showcased	  in	  this	  exhibition.	  	  Made	  with	  quirky	  humor,	  often	  bordering	  on	  absurdity,	  these	  works	  are	  nonetheless	  relatable…	  a	  tongue-­‐in-­‐cheek	  glimpse	  at	  contemporary	  culture.	  	  	  Made	   from	  processes	  often	  associated	  with	   the	  production	  of	   zines,	   such	  as	   cutouts	  and	  collages,	   Rora	   Elwell’s	   Just	   leave	  me	   alone	   is	   a	   unique	   state	   artist’s	   book,	   which	   gives	   a	  sensitive	  insight	  into	  personal	  and	  collective	  narratives.	  	  The	  fragmented	  text	  and	  imagery	  puts	   forward	   cues	   for	   the	   viewer,	   who	   simultaneously	   receives	   insight	   into	   the	   artist’s	  narrative,	  and	  forms	  personal	  links	  between	  the	  stimuli	  presented.	  While	   representative	   of	   various	   contemporary	   bookbinding	   interests	   and	   concerns,	   this	  exhibition	   is	   not	   merely	   a	   collection	   of	   artists’	   books	   and	   zines,	   but	   a	   record	   of	   shared	  spaces	  and	  emerging	  dialogues	  between	  artists	  and,	  subsequently,	  the	  works	  they	  produce.	  	  	  About	  the	  Curators	  	  Dr.	  Rhi	  Johnson	  is	  a	  Toowoomba	  based	  artist	  and	   educator	   who	   works	   primarily	   in	   the	  fields	   of	   Printmaking,	   Artist’s	   Books	   and	  Mixed	  Media	   art.	   	   Rhi	   is	   concerned	  with	   the	  critical	   examination	   of	   contemporary	   book	  practices,	   in	   terms	   of	   the	   alternate	   forms	   of	  construction,	  conceptual	   intent	  and	  resultant	  experience	  such	  objects	  can	  put	  forward.	  	  	  She	  is	  interested	  in	  the	  formation	  of	  everyday	  narratives,	  and	  how	  these	  can	  be	  disrupted	  or	  subverted	   visually.	   Rhi	   investigates	   visual	  cues	   that	   can	   punctuate	   an	   environment,	  object	  or	  space	  of	  perceived	  meaning,	  and	  in	  doing	   so,	   may	   allude	   to	   subconscious	  methods	  of	  processing	  information.	  	  	  @artist_rhi	  rhijohnson.weebly.com	  	  	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  has	  been	  a	  practicing	  artist	  for	   53	   years,	   and	   a	   printmaking	   lecturer	   for	  49	   years.	   	   	   Stephen	  works	   across	   a	   range	   of	  media	   including	   Printmaking,	   Painting,	  Sculpture	   and	   Mixed	   Media.	   	   He	   has	  developed	   a	   longstanding	   engagement	   with	  the	   production	   and	   technical	   innovation	   of	  various	  forms	  of	  artist’s	  books,	  and	  continues	  to	  educate	  and	  mentor	  emerging	  book	  artists.	  	  Throughout	   his	   career,	   Stephen	   has	   been	  fuelled	   by	   persistent	   curiosity.	   	   His	   works	  engage	   with	   cosmic	   reflection,	   anatomy,	  geometry,	  intuition	  and	  layered	  storytelling.	  Del	  Baldoviso	  My	  Week	  Screenprinted	  zine	  2019	  	  Georgia	  Breeden	  Her	  Laugh	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Georgia	  Breeden	  Interventions	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Georgia	  Breeden	  I’m	  a	  Goat	  Zine	  2019	  	  Emily	  Butler	  Unraveling	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  Emily	  Butler	  Tails	  of	  Rusty	  the	  Cat	  Zine	  2019	  	  Emily	  Butler	  Monster	  Jasmine	  Zine	  2019	  	  Emily	  Butler	  Killer	  Rusty	  Zine	  2019	  	  Emily	  Butler	  Things	  that	  make	  me	  sneeze	  Zine	  2019	  Emily	  Butler	  Things	  that	  make	  me	  sneeze	  #2	  Digital	  print	  book	  2019	  	  Amanda	  Digweed	  Bodhi	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Amanda	  Digweed	  Plastered	  Mixed	  media	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  Amanda	  Digweed	  Forage	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Davina	  Else	  Birds	  of	  Paradise	  Mixed	  media	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  Davina	  Else	  Flying	  fishes	  Miniature	  book	  2019	  	  Davina	  Else	  Clowning	  around	  (Vol	  1)	  Miniature	  book	  2019	  	  Davina	  Else	  Clowning	  around	  (Vol	  2)	  Miniature	  book	  2019	  	  Rora	  Elwell	  Daydreaming	  Zine	  2019	  Rora	  Elwell	  B	  is	  for…	  Zine	  2019	  	  Rora	  Elwell	  How	  to	  live	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  Rora	  Elwell	  All	  gone	  home	  Concertina	  book	  	  2019	  	  	  Rora	  Elwell	  Just	  leave	  me	  alone	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  Cindy	  Giles	  Words	  Mixed	  media	  book	  (timber	  coasters,	  acrylic	  and	  printed	  words)	  2019	  	  	  Cindy	  Giles	  From	  Mayhem	  to	  Mellow	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  Cindy	  Giles	  Moments	  in	  Colour	  Mixed	  media	  book	  (sprayed	  calico,	  stitched,	  collage	  and	  acrylic	  on	  canvas)	  2019	  	  	  Cindy	  Giles	  Circular	  Circles	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  Cindy	  Giles	  Everything	  we	  do	  matters	  Altered	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Dream	  Catcher	  Circular	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Misprinted	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Offprinted	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  A	  Temporary	  Cure	  for	  Glandular	  Fever	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  The	  Nonsensical	  Ambitions	  of	  a	  Tenacious	  Begetter	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Just	  Playing	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Getting	  to	  know	  me	  Stab	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Senses	  Concertina	  book	  series	  (5	  miniature	  books)	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Up	  in	  the	  Air	  Stab	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Chromatic	  Ophidian	  Coptic	  bound	  snake	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Fresh	  Batch	  Miniature	  sculptural	  concertina	  books	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Scribbles	  on	  Scraps	  Stab	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  Sonia	  Jane	  Anti-­‐Social	  Social	  Club	  Zine	  2019	  	  	  Rhi	  Johnson	  Looking	  Glass	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  Rhi	  Johnson	  Digestion	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  	  	  Rhi	  Johnson	  A	  Biological	  History	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  Rhi	  Johnson	  Feed	  the	  hand	  that	  bites	  you	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  	  Rhi	  Johnson	  Side	  view	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  	  Anita	  Mangakahia	  Bridport	  Magnolia	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  Anita	  Mangakahia	  Forest	  Floor	  Concertina	  book	  2019	  	  Anita	  Mangakahia	  Intimate	  Detail	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  Anita	  Mangakahia	  Eco	  Garden	  Boxed	  book	  2019	  	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  &	  John	  Teschendorff	  387	  Reflections	  on	  Boredom	  Mixed	  media	  2012	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  &	  Jan	  Davis	  Vegetable	  Poem	  #1	  Digital	  print	  2001	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  &	  Ron	  McBurnie	  I	  walked	  with	  a	  human	  Digital	  prints	  with	  hand	  set	  wooden	  type	  2007	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  &	  Catherine	  Parker	  Pathways	  and	  Temples	  Mixed	  media	  concertina	  book	  2006	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  Strangers	  in	  the	  Garden	  Hand	  finished	  digital	  prints:	  Boxed	  set	  of	  5	  books	  2014	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  B	  is	  for	  Barcelona	  Vertically	  unfolding	  concertina	  book	  2002	  	  Stephen	  Spurrier	  A	  Very	  Narrow	  Book	  Digital	  prints	  2017	  	  Linsey	  Walker	  I	  don’t	  know	  where	  my	  towel	  is	  (zine)	  Zine	  2019	  	  Linsey	  Walker	  I	  don’t	  know	  where	  my	  towel	  is	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  Linsey	  Walker	  Boldly	  Go	  Traditionally	  bound	  artist’s	  book	  2019	  	  Linsey	  Walker	  Pinkest	  Pink	  Pineapples	  and	  other	  Florescent	  Fruits	  of	  Fancy	  Concertina	  book	  2018	  	  Rora	  Elwell,	  Davina	  Else	  &	  Georgia	  Breeden	  The	  Threeway	  Book	  Coptic	  bound	  book	  2019	  	  	  	  	  	    

Under the covers

http://eprints.usq.edu.au/37843/1/Under%20the%20Covers.pdf

Under the covers

Abstract

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