Bound for the library

Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison
Something Reverberated
20 page concertina artists’ book, inkjet print on Canson Arches 88 310gsm, with accompanying narrative (by Gracia Haby), housed in a box (by Louise Jennison) with original watercolour cover on Saunders Waterford Aquarelle 300gsm white hot-press paper
Printed by Arten
Edition of 2
and
With wings outstretched and quivering
18 page concertina artists’ book, inkjet print on Canson Arches 88 310gsm, with accompanying narrative (by Gracia Haby), housed in a box (by Louise Jennison) with original watercolour cover on Saunders Waterford Aquarelle 300gsm white hot-press paper
Printed by Arten
Edition of 2

Now that all four artists’ books have been made, and three are resting beneath tissue and weights, and one is at Geelong Gallery, awaiting an exhibition, we are looking forward to sharing them with you, in whatever form is available. We hope some of you can see the books in person, if not necessarily soon, but one day. And it is to this end that we are especially delighted that an edition of Something reverberated and With wings outstretched and quivering have been acquired by State Library Victoria.

At this stage, it is hoped, you will be able to see (the completed) Something reverberated in a forthcoming group exhibition curated by Felicity Spear, for which the work (pardalotes and all) was especially made.

Biosphere — a sense of belonging
Wednesday 29th of October – Saturday 30th October, 2021
Stephen McLaughlan Gallery
Room 816, Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne

“Enveloping the enormous mass of our planet is the Biosphere, a razor thin membrane supporting all life. Also called the ecosphere, it is the world-wide sum of all ecosystems. Essentially we are organisms within these systems, absolutely dependent on, and interdependent with other organisms. The interplay of the climatic system and biological diversity determine the effectiveness and resilience of this shield, the Earth’s biosphere, air, land, and water. Considering ourselves rulers of the biosphere however, we humans believe we are entitled to do anything to the rest of life that we wish.

Cumulative human culture has now become a significant global force, imposing an unprecedented impact on the operation of the Earth system. So much so that the current geological era has been proposed as the Anthropocene. Our planet’s 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01% of all living things, but since the dawn of civilisation humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of the plants. As human activity scales down Earth’s ecosystems and life becomes progressively less biodiverse, the biosphere becomes less resilient to changing circumstances and more difficult to maintain. It is in the self- interest of humanity to avoid pushing ecosystems or the entire Earth system across tipping points.

Nature’s surfaces are seductive. But beneath them lies a deep sense of pathos revealed in the destructive power of humanity. The artists represented in Biosphere — a sense of belonging, reflect on the wonder, complexity and the interconnected diversity of life within the biosphere. They reflect on the unfolding tragedy revealed in the fragility of life forms, indicators of ominous changes within ecosystems. They invite us to think about our sense of belonging within the natural world and the role which empathy might play in the future. Examples of empathy in other animals would suggest a long evolutionary history leading to this capacity in humans. The challenge of maintaining the resilience of the biosphere in the 21st century and beyond relies on our understanding that we are all connected. We belong to the biosphere. It does not belong to us.”

Felicity Spear

Turn the pages.

With wings outstretched and quivering is one of 34 shortlisted works in the 2021 Geelong acquisitive print awards. It is unlikely we’ll see the exhibition in person, given restrictions, but we’re happy the Great, Satin, and Spotted bowerbirds within the pages made the journey safe and sound, and that the exhibition, though shorter in its wingspan, is still possible.

2021 Geelong acquisitive print awards
Saturday 2nd of October – Sunday 17th of October, 2021
Geelong Gallery
Little Malop Street, Geelong

“This nationally acclaimed acquisitive prize exhibition features entries from around Australia by established and emerging printmakers representing the diversity of current practice through both traditional printmaking techniques as well as contemporary processes.

The artists shortlisted for the 2021 Geelong acquisitive print awards are Carlos Almenar Diaz, Rosalind Atkins, Kim Barter, Steph Bolt, G W Bot, Gavin Brown, Jon Campbell, Susanna Castleden, Matthew Clarke, Marian Crawford, Jo Darvall, Jan Davis and Jan Palethorpe, Lesley Duxbury, Kasia Fabijańska, Robert Fielding, Dianne Fogwell, Steven Giese, Sharon Goodwin and Irene Hanenbergh (Zilverster), Kate Gorringe-Smith, Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison, Christine Johnson, Locust Jones, Martin King, Pia Larsen, Chips Mackinolty, Tim Maguire, Aylsa McHugh, Christopher Orr, Janet Parker-Smith, Ben Rak, Geoffrey Ricardo, John Ryrie, Cleo Wilkinson and Helen Wright.”

Geelong Gallery

Turn the pages.

Finally, from our lockdown VI abode to you, wherever you may be, our sale on all our zine titles continues through our online store.

Simply enter the code 2021ZINESALE to receive 50% off any of our zines.

The sale will rolls until midnight on Monday the 13th of September, 2021. May this be a little light for you.

And may, should a certain stretch of the Birrarung be within your 5km radius, you sight and be smitten with Salvatore the seal.

Image credit: Pink crested bower bird postcard, ca.1905–ca.1910, 8.8 x 13.8 cm approximately, State Library Victoria