What the heck is an artist’s book?
“An artist’s book is a work of art in book form. Objects in this medium can be entirely handmade or mass-produced and vary in the degree of focus on content, form, and materials. Many artists encourage readers to rethink the nature of the book and reading in new and unexpected ways. Contemporary artists’ books range from fine craft letterpress works to one-of-a-kind or limited-edition art objects presented in a wide variety of materials and book formats. Artists incorporate typography, papermaking, paper engineering, bookmaking, design, fine art, graphics, creative writing, and digital media into their book works.”
An artist’s book is not what you think. It’s not a picture book; it’s not a graphic novel; it’s not an artist’s monograph. What is it then?
An artist’s book considers the binding, the text, and the illustrations. But it’s a lot more than that. An artist’s book also considers the texture through paper or metal or fabric and the experience of “reading” through the book’s movement through time.
An artist’s book is also about paying attention to details. The sewing and the binding of the book are all intentional to the overall meaning of the book and the message the artist is conveying.
An artist’s book isn’t a container for art—it is the art.
“Artists’ books exist at the intersections of printmaking, photography, poetry, experimental narrative, visual arts, graphic design, and publishing. They have made a place for themselves in the collections of museums, libraries, and private collectors. They have caught the interest of art historians and critics writing about art, and there are numerous studio programs in art schools dedicated to the art of the book, ushering in new generations of artists making books.”
“A zine, short for fanzine or magazine, is a DIY* subculture self-publication, usually made on paper and reproduced with a photocopier or printer. Zine creators are often motivated by a desire to share knowledge or experience with people in marginalized or otherwise less-empowered communities.”
—Barnard College, Zine Collection
What is a zine?
Most of the artist’s books on this site were written and illustrated (photography, pressure printed, printmade, and more) by me (Nikki Thompson). Also my good friend, supporter, and mentor—poet Judith Serin—wrote prose poems for a number of my artist’s books. My zine, Chicken McNugget Poems, was written by my husband, Edwin Maguire. Chapbooks were written by different poets, many of whom I went to grad school with or were my professors!
Who’s the author ?
Studio Process
Binding
I love bookbinding. It’s my favorite part of the process. I learned to do bookbinding at San Francisco Center for the Book from Dominic Riley and others. I continued to learn from books and lots and lots of practice and going to the Special Collections of local colleges.
Printmaking
I like doing unconventional forms of printmaking, like Gelli plate printing and kitchen table lithography. It’s more environmentally friendly than traditional printmaking.
Zinemaking
I love making books from a single sheet of paper. I started out with the basic folds. Then I discovered Hedi Kyle’s book, The Art of the Fold. It opened up all sorts of possibilities for one sheet books.
Writing
I got my MFA in creative writing from California College of Arts and Crafts. I started out as a fiction writer and graduated a prose poet. I loved the flexibility of the program.
