Image, Yara Cluver

Curator, Emily Zarse

What is an Artists’ book?

Artists’ books are works of art that can take the form of a book, incorporate elements of a book, or depart entirely from conventional book forms.

They can be scrolls, fold-outs, concertinas, or even sculptural forms. These books often push the boundaries of form and content in an integrated relationship to convey a multiplicity of ideas.

In contrast to traditional pregnancy manuals, artists’ books can offer a more complex representation of the reproductive experience, including aspects that are often overlooked or suppressed in mainstream representations, such as the messiness and unpredictability of childbirth. They emphasize visuals and tactility over traditional text-based formats of sharing knowledge, which helps to convey the intimacy of individual experience. 

Artists’ books can be a way to highlight embodied histories, representing the experiences of people who may be marginalized in mainstream narratives surrounding reproduction, such as people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, or those with disabilities.