Student Reviews of Artists’ Books at the SMFA Library

The SMFA Library offers a unique opportunity for hands-on study of a rich collection of contemporary artists' books. Unlimited Edition Artists' Books, an advanced studio/seminar course taught by Professor Chantal Zakari in the Graphic Arts area at SMFA, focuses on books that were conceived and printed in large editions and distributed through mainstream channels in order to reach a wide audience. Each week, the class meets in the SMFA Library to discuss and examine a selection of books from the collection relating to a different theme. Later in the studio, inspired by these conversations, students conceptualize and design their own books.

Each student also completes a deep analysis of a single book and produces a written or audiovisual report. Below, we’re excited to share a selection of these projects, featuring highlights of the SMFA Library's collection. These artists’ books combine text and image, utilize a variety of narrative structures, and are experimental and deliberate in their design. The book itself is the artwork.