Art lovers, bibliophiles and anyone else who relishes beauty and human creativity will be excited by the scores of stunning artists’ books soon to go on exhibition at Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

Mayor Michael Regan said over 40 artists’ books from around the world, all selected for the 2019 Library Artists’ Book Awards, are featured in the unique exhibition, which will run from 2 May to 9 June 2019.

“Artists' books are spectacular works of art in themselves - a work of art in book form,” Mayor Regan said.

“They are creative and surprising and use lots of different techniques to create a story or send a message to their audience. 

“They might include items like scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas or even loose items contained in a box, as well as bound printed sheets of all kinds.

“This exhibition is a lovely collaboration between Council’s library team and curators at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum, creating something special for Gallery visitors.”  

Included in the exhibition is artist Elaine Camlin’s work called ‘Spatial Investigations’. It is a ‘meander book’ featuring linocuts printed on special Awagami fine art paper.

Jill Carter-Hansen wrote - regarding her work ‘Passages’ - of it “as a secret box containing two folding books formed from a collage of over thirty of my hand-made prints, watercolour and hand-written texts together with excerpts from my poetry written from experiences relating to my life”.

Since first being launched in 2011, the Library Artists' Book Award has attracted entries from around the world, confirming its status as a globally recognised event.

This year Council teamed up with eminent Sydney based artist Geoff Harvey to make the selection from the library’s permanent collection.

“Every two years since 2011, we’ve held an Artists’ Book Award attracting entries from around the world,” Mayor Regan said.

“The award program allows our library to continue developing the extensive artists' book collection and contribute to the development and awareness of artists' book as an art form. It is fantastic to display this selection at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum.”

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678