Artist Books

Artists' books are works of art realised in the form of a book. They are usually published in small editions, though sometimes they are one-of-a-kind objects called book art. Artists' books have employed a wide range of forms, including scrolls, fold-outs or loose items contained in a box as well as bound printed sheet. Although artists have been active in printing and book production for centuries, the artist's book is primarily a late 20th century form.

The Real Accordian Book by Peter & Donna Thomas

"Artists' books are books or book-like objects over the final appearance of which an artist has had a high degree of control; where the book is intended as a work of art in itself." Stephen Bury

The Train Comes to Wichita. by Peter Thomas

There is a lot of discussion going on about what an artists' book is. Like trying to define "What is art?", there is no single right answer. The term artists' book simply means a book made by an artist; a book made as a work of art rather than as a literary artifact.

In 105 AD the Chinese invented paper. This material was flexible and strong. A new form of book was created, the concertina or fold book. Here one sheet, or several glued into one, was folded onto itself. It could be read by flipping each fold (like pages) or opened to see the entire length. The book had hard covers on the ends to protect the paper.