Recent acquisitions by the State Library of Queensland, Part 2

 

I’ve long been attracted to the accessible, inclusive, collectable and affordable nature of zines. I have a small collection of my own and have also been making them for numerous years, a pleasurable and satisfying activity I’ve lately begun to question, as it has become increasingly difficult to find outlets for them. Aside from that, I may possibly be the oldest zinester in the world, and with recent directional changes in my work, wondered if the time had come to move on. 

Then, out of the blue, I received an email from the State Library of Queensland expressing interest in acquiring one of my artist books and a selection of Moth Woman Press zines.

The Moth Woman Press zines pictured above and listed below have just been acquired for the Artists’ Books Collection of the State Library of Queensland:

Card Sharps, 2013, 10.5 x 7.5 cm, ed. 100

Hair Pieces, 2015, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 100

Hair Pieces 2, 2016, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 100

Tattooed Faces in Living Colour, 2015, Ed. 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 100

The Shadow Women, 2014, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 100

The Shadow Women 3, 2014, Ed. 21/100, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 100

Homo-insecta 2 - A mini-zine, 2014, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 80

Homo-insecta 4 - A mini-zine, 2014, Ed. 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 80

Backstories, 2020,l, 10 (H) x 7 (W) cm, ed. 80

Shadowomen 4, 2022, 9.5 (H) x 7.2 (W) cm, 9.5 (H) x 7.2 (W) cm, ed. 80

Republic of Mothstralia Postage Stamps - Socialist Butterflies - Special Collector’s Edition, 2023, 8.5 (H) x 7.2 (W) cm, ed. 80

With the exception of Card Sharps, another copy of which is already in the collection, a duplicate set of zines has been acquired for the State Library of Queensland’s Education Kit for use during school visits. 

Scroll down to our previous post for a list of additional MWP publications held by the State Library of Queensland.

Moth Woman Press publications are also held in the permanent collections of the State Library of Victoria, National Library of Australia, ACT, National Gallery of Australia, ACT, Melbourne Atheneaum Library and other public institutions. 

Recent acquisitions by the State Library of Queensland Part 1

 

2025 is certainly off to a fine start for Moth Woman Press. As I write, Firebrand, 2017, our one-of-a-kind concertina book, is en route to the State Library of Queensland. The library has just acquired it for their permanent collection, along with a selection of MWP zines. Details of the latter will follow in our next post. 

The following is a list of Moth Woman Press publications already held in the Library’s collection:

There was once…the collected fairy tales, 2009, stories and pictures by Deborah Klein. (See previous post).

2 copies of Women with wings, both from the Support Association for the Women of Afghanistan, 2010 project: 

Women with wings [1] Linocuts by Deborah Klein; text by Majabeen

Women with wings [2] Linocuts by Deborah Klein; text by Mahjan

Eve's apple, 2013, from the Tall Tales series of unique vertical concertina books

Card Sharps, 2013, zine, colour photocopy, 10.5 x 7.5 cm, ed. 100

Pictured top: Firebrand, 2017, unique artist book, pigmented drawing ink and acrylic paint on Khadi paper, cloth cover with debossed text, 15.5 x 16.5 cm (closed). Collection: State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.

‘There was once… the collected fairy tales’ in the State Library of Queensland

This week I was happily surprised to learn that There was once… the collected fairy tales (2009), the first book I ever wrote and the first ever Moth Woman Press publication, is part of the permanent collection of the State Library of Queensland. The book is on display in the Australian Library of Art Showcase on level 4.  

The ALA Showcase is currently focusing on fantasy literature, nonsense and fairy tales. My book is paired with the catalogue of The enchanted forest - new gothic storytellers (2008), a NETS Australia touring exhibition curated by Jazmina Cininas, who wrote the catalogue essay, as well as participating in the exhibition, along with Louise Weaver, Milan Milojevic, Louiseann Zahra-King, James Morrison and me. The works I made for The enchanted forest were the catalyst for the first of my fairy tales, beginning with The Story of the Moth Masks. 

Installation views: Christene Drewe, Specialist Librarian, State Library of Queensland. Click on images to enlarge.

Block for an upcoming artist book

Pictured top: freshly carved lino block for the title page of Decorated Women, an artist book in the making. 

Directly below is a process view of the work, snapped during the early stages of carving. Whited-out areas indicate alterations made during the course of its development. For example, the original title of the work, Illustrated Women, has been changed to the more multi-layered Decorated Women. Despite my sharp tools, the text was a particular challenge to carve due to the soft and crumbly nature of the lino. 

Depending on whether I’m able to make the deadline, the artist book will be part of Ways of Being, my solo exhibition at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne, running from December 4-21.

Selected highlights from CAM Art Book Fair

Scenes from the second and final day of CAM Art Book Fair at Castlemaine Art Museum beginning with the panel conversation Self-Publishing Artists Reaching Across and Beyond the Region. It was terrific chatting with Castlemaine Art Museum Director Naomi Cass and fellow panelists Clayton Tremlett and Lorena Carrington. 

There was a wonderful range of book art on view. For Shane Jones and I it was an added treat to catch up with book artists Gracia Haby, Dianne Longley, Jan Palethorpe, Jackie Gorring, Catherine Pilgrim, Penny Peckham and Jeff Gardner.

CAM Art Book Fair ran from June 1-2 and was held in conjunction with NGV Art Book Fair.

CAM Art Book Fair: Self-Publishing Artists

 

The CAM Art Book Fair returns in June 2024, in conjunction with NGV Melbourne Art Book Fair. 

The Melbourne Art Book Fair is part of Melbourne Design Week 2024, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.  

On Sunday, 2 June, I’ve been invited participate in the panel discussion Self-Publishing Artists Reaching Across and Beyond the Region at Castlemaine Art Museum .

Links to all Art Book Fair events are below:

NGV: https://www.artbookfair.melbourne/events/panel-conversation-self-publishing-artists-reaching-across-and-beyond-the-region/ 

CAM: https://castlemaineartmuseum.org.au/news

 

Castlemaine Art Museum 

14 Lyttleton Street (PO Box 248)
Castlemaine VIC 3450
03 5472 2292
castlemaineartmuseum.org.au

 

Sunday 2 June, 10 – 11 am

 

A visit to Melbourne Athenaeum Library

Yesterday’s day trip to Melbourne included a visit to Melbourne Athenaeum Library to stock up on books. Seeing Leaves of Absence, my unbound artist book, on display brought back a slew of happy memories of my stint there in 2018 as artist-in-residence for Melbourne Rare Book Week. 

The library was the first institution to acquire Leaves of Absence for its permanent collection, of which I’m still extremely proud, and they hosted the launch of the book in 2017. 

Melbourne Athenaeum Library is a refuge in the chaotic centre of a city I hardly recognise anymore. I’ve kept up my membership, but having moved to a regional city, I seldom have time to call in. This is something I’ve vowed to rectify. Until yesterday, I hadn’t realised just how much I’ve missed it.

Apologies for the reflections and distortions from the bevelled glass.

Christmas Eve at Moth Woman Press

 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 

I’m looking forward to sharing more things bookish with you in 2024. At present, however, my prints, artist books and zines are taking a back seat to painting as I resume work for a solo show at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Melbourne, that’s booked in for the latter half of next year. All going well, some linocuts (including the work on the press bed above) and an artist book will be part of it too. 

Enjoy the Festive Season, everyone. See you in 2024!

Image on e-card: Deborah Klein, The Heavens Declare 1, 2022, linocut, 20 x 15 cm.

A gentle reminder…

 

ARTIST BOOKS & FOLIOS

Deborah Klein Elizabeth Banfield and Theo Strasser

Opening Event: 2 -4 pm Saturday September 23 

Stephen McLaughlan Gallery (South Gallery)

Level 8 Room 16 The Nicholas Building 

37 Swanston Street Melbourne 3000 (on the corner of Flinders Lane)

Telephone: 0407 317 323

Email: st73599@bigpond.net.au

Gallery Hours:

Wednesday to Friday 1 pm- 5 pm, Saturday 11 am -5 pm & by appointment

I do hope you can drop by on Saturday afternoon, or before the exhibition finishes its run on October 7.  

I’m currently in London, but will be there in spirit with fellow book artists Theo Strasser and Elizabeth Banfield. Many thanks to exhibition curator Stephen McLaughlan for inviting me to be part of this show and for its impeccable display. 

Photo credit for the following views: Stephen McLaughlan. Click on images to enlarge.

MWP Zines in Artist Books & Folios

As promised, here is an overview of the MWP zines included in the upcoming exhibition Artist Books & Folios at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery. Click on images to enlarge.

The Republic of Mothstralia Stamps - Socialist Butterfly Party zine (pictured below) is the second of two zines made especially for the exhibition. (The other is Roundels, top right above). To get the skinny on the Socialist Butterfly Party, visit Deborah Klein’s Art Blog HERE.

Only 10 copies of each zine will be available during the run of the exhibition, so (as they used to say in the ads), get in fast while stocks last. I do plan on replenishing numbers, but won’t have time until my return from London in the latter part of October. I’m sad to be missing the entire exhibition, but very excited to see my friends in the UK and sampling the plethora of cultural treats that will be on offer while I’m there. 

I do hope you can visit Artist Books & Folios, even though I can’t. Please find your invitation below. 

PREVIEW: MWP books in ARTIST BOOKS & FOLIOS

For the inside scoop on the Moth Woman Press books selected for Artist Books & Folios at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, look no further than this post.

The exhibition, which also includes artist books by Elizabeth Banfield and Theo Strasser, opens on September 20. Full details are HERE. 

Pictured above: Progeny, 2018, unique concertina book, hand-lettered and drawn in India ink, pigmented drawing inks and gouache with hand-stitching. Cloth cover with debossed text. To learn more about Progeny, visit my art blog HERE.

Pictured above: Firebrand, 2017, unique concertina book, hand-lettered and drawn in India ink and pigmented drawing inks. Cloth cover with debossed text. For more about this work, go HERE.

Pictured above: Women with Wings, 2010, concertina book, linocuts, rubber stamps. For additional information, go HERE.

Pictured above: Homo-insecta Portfolio, 2013, unbound artist book with selected page views. Hand-coloured linocuts with inkjet-printed text. For more about this work, click HERE.

Pictured above: Leaves of Absence, 2017, unbound artist book with selected page views. Archival pigment prints, cloth cover with debossing, Ed. 10. Further information is HERE.

Click on the above images to enlarge.

The limited-edition MWP zines included in Artist Books & Folios will feature in our next post.

The Yellow Butterflies - New revised edition

 

Artist Books and Folios, the fast approaching exhibition at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery has come up at relatively short notice. If not for this and my impending overseas trip, I would doubtless have made a new book for the occasion. Instead, I’ve made a couple of new zines (one of which was featured in our last post) and have given the eight-page zine, The Yellow Butterflies, which MWP first published several years ago, a thorough makeover. I was never completely happy with the original version and recently spent a considerable amount of time redesigning the zine in order to make it more pictorial. At that stage, I wasn’t aware that an artist book show was on the horizon, so my timing was perfect. The basis for the zine is a fairytale I wrote back in 2013. I’m much happier with the new-look zine, which is a signed and numbered limited edition of 80. 

 

ROUNDELS - a new zine

We are delighted that the upcoming three-person show Artist Books & Folios at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery will also include a selection of Moth Woman Press zines, including Roundels, which we’ve made especially for the exhibition. The mini-zine is limited to an edition of 80 and, like all of our zines in the exhibition, will retail for $5.00.

Artist Books & Folios opens on September 20 and runs to October 7.

Selecting works for ARTIST BOOKS & FOLIOS

On the work table earlier today: a selection of artist books under consideration for inclusion in

ARTIST BOOKS & FOLIOS

Deborah Klein, Elizabeth Banfield and Theo Strasser

South Gallery, Stephen McLaughlan Gallery.  

The exhibition runs from September 20 - October 7.

See our previous post for additional information. 

Click on image to enlarge.