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Centre for Artists' Books

Centre For Artists Books

Centre for Artists' Books

The Centre for Artists’ Books is a space dedicated solely to artists’ books, the first combined archive and exhibition space of its kind in the United Kingdom. It is a specially designed book display unit, the creation of Roland Ashcroft and Jeanette Paul, researchers based in the School of Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. The unit has drawers for small exhibitions and bespoke spaces for stocking artists’ books.

...a space dedicated solely to artists’ books, the first combined archive and exhibition space of its kind in the United Kingdom.

From 1999 – 2002 the exhibition programme at CAB was curated by publisher and artist Alec Finlay, and it explored all aspects of the medium of the artist’s book, and included focused exhibitions on individual artists and small publishing presses. Books by many major contemporary Scottish Artists from Ian Hamilton Finlay and David Shrigley to Jaqueline Donachie and Zoë Irvine, have been displayed. One of the aims of CAB is to publish its own titles, the first being “Selected Walks” by Richard Long.

Divide by Zero, was the first Centre for Artists’ Book exhibition for over 2 years, after the facility was temporarily closed for refurbishments. The exhibition also marked the re-opening of the Artists’ Book archive to the public, which boasts a collection of over 500 artists’ books. Appointments can be made to view the CAB collection but please note appointments can only be made during VRC opening hours.

We have recently purchased a number of new books which will be displayed at a forthcoming exhibition in VRC centrespace curated by David Faithfull. The Centre for Artists' Books Database has currently being updated, the old version is available here.

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