WORKING THROUGH / TURNING PAGES: THE ARTIST'S BOOKS OF ROBERT JACKS

THE ARTIST'S BOOKS OF ROBERT JACKS examines some four decades of artist's book work by this significant Australian artist - from early conceptual and minimal books to more recent editions. The exhibition features significant new rubber stamp work, and includes new video and digital documentation of key books. The exhibition, curated by Peter Anderson, is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue.

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Comment by Robert Heather on November 27, 2009 at 5:24pm

Peter we went up to see the exhibition yesterday and it is fabulous - congratulations and well done on all the hard work that you have put into curating this exhibition. It looks fantastic - the display and the works. The video is especially effective.

We visited Robert's studio on the way and he came up to the Gallery with us - fantastic experience.

I would recommend the exhibition to potential venues all around the world!

Comment by Peter Anderson on November 27, 2009 at 4:44pm

Last weekend to see the Jacks exhibition in Bendigo. But it does tour next year ... Warrnambool Art Gallery 26 Feb - 10 Apr, Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale 15 May - 20 Jun, & Artspace Mackay 16 Jul - 12 Sep, 2010.

Comment by Peter Anderson on November 17, 2009 at 2:20pm

A couple of images of the exhibition as installed at Bendigo Art Gallery.

Comment by Peter Anderson on October 16, 2009 at 11:47am

The Artist's Books of Robert Jacks
essay and catalogue by Peter Anderson

Robert Jacks has been making artists books as a key element of his practice since the 1960s. These books range from one-off works to multiples and editions using a variety of printing techniques from hand stamping and etching to collage, photography and other media. In some cases individual books served as working documents in the development of other projects, remaining as the central trace for more ephemeral bodies of work. The Artist's Books of Robert Jacks examines the full range of Jacks' work in the field of artists books. Published to accompany the touring exhibition, Working Through /Turning Pages: The Artist's Books of Robert Jacks, the publication includes a substantial essay contextualising Jacks' work in this field by Peter Anderson, as well as an illustrated catalogue of the artist's books and editions from 1966 to 2009.

Robert Jacks came to prominence as an artist through his early exhibitions of abstract paintings in Melbourne during the mid-1960s. He was one of the artists included in The Field exhibition which launched the new National Gallery of Victoria in 1968. During the 1960s and 70s he spent over a decade living, working and exhibiting in north America, including solo exhibitions in New York and Toronto. For many years his artist's books were distributed by Printed Matter Inc., and key book works have been included in significant artist's books exhibitions in North America, Europe and Australia. After returning to Australia in 1978, Jacks spent periods living and working in both Melbourne and Sydney, before moving to central Victoria, in the mid-1990s. His artist's books are held in the collections of key public institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the British Museum.

The Artist's Books of Robert Jacks is published by Bendigo Art Gallery in an edition of 500, and includes over 90 colour images, contextual essay, annotated artist's book catalogue listing and a brief artist's biography.


The Artist's Books of Robert Jacks
ISBN: 9780949215574 (pbk)

Available at Bendigo Art Gallery and from selected bookstores & gallery shops ...
or order direct ... enquiries to
Peter Anderson

Comment by Peter Anderson on October 8, 2009 at 12:13pm

Deanna. I'm afraid that as the exhibition is set up to tour, the books will be under perspex. BUT ... Robert has made a special edition of rubber stamp books for the exhibition. One copy from this edition will be able to be handled (even without white gloves!) at each venue. The exibition also includes video and digital image documentation so you get to see more than a single opening for quite a few key books ... in fact we have produced a video reading of all 12 of the 1973-1982 hand-stamped books, as well as a suite of video pieces linked to the series of unique colour books 77/85 (which will provide a sound track to the exhibition). Peter

Comment by Rambunctious Press on October 7, 2009 at 6:36pm

Great. Look forward to seeing the collection of Robert Jacks' artist books. I have enjoyed his work for years. Will we be able to handle them? Deanna

Comment by malcolm enright on October 7, 2009 at 5:28pm

Can you please send me a cattle dog + and invoice please?
mal E
Peter, send me an email for my address mate! and Hi and congrats to Robert!!!!!!!

Comment by Robert Heather on October 7, 2009 at 5:00pm

Hi Peter - I won't be able to come to the opening unfortunately but am hoping we can get out there soon to see the show - looks great!