Artists' Books Collection

The Fine Arts Library's artists' books collection runs the entire range of artistic expression from the abstract and the conceptual to the personal and the political.
Opened box containing folded paper object with a tiny book titled “Many Hands”
Many Hands by Julie Chen. HOLLIS record.
Sibila Savage

Artists’ books — art works created in a variety of print media and issued in all types of book formats — have been an important part of the Fine Arts Library's collections since the 1960s. 

Opened book with graphic images and texts. An illustrated figure with a cap holding a gun with his arm straight and texts are coming from the gun. There are images of the sky, clouds, and airplane.
Pistol/Pistil: botanical ballistics, by KaKeART, Ann E. Kalmbach and Tatana Kellner, Women's Studio Workshop, Rosendale NY. HOLLIS record

Our collection features works from artists such as: 

  • Tia Blassingame 
  • Julie Chen 
  • Hanne Darboven 
  • Colette Fu 
  • Tatana Kellner 
  • Bea Nettles 
  • Werner Pfeiffer 
  • Ed Ruscha 
  • Skye Tafoya 
  • Barbara Tetenbaum 

These items run the entire range of artistic expression from the abstract and the conceptual to the personal and the political. They originate from all over the U.S. and around the globe. We also have a strong selection of queer and feminist artists’ books, as well as books created by artists associated with Lettrism and Fluxus. 

In addition to the Fine Arts Library's collection, many artists' books can be found at Houghton Library.

Hands holding an opened book with three-dimensional lotus flower in the center

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