Themes of Travel in Artists' Books

Artists’ books challenge our understanding of books as information resources. Instead of being a resource to read, books become objects to be experienced. Book artists may use the book as a sculptural object or combine text and images to convey a narrative. The Fine Arts Library has a collection of over 150 artists’ books.   These selected books from the collection explore themes of travel. Artists such as Clifton Meador and Christine Kermaire investigate the hardships of traveling due to war and the loss of one’s home. Additionally, Deborah Small looks with a critical lens at Christopher Columbus’ travels to a new land in 1492: what is it like to be discovered?  Travel is often a source of pleasure. The McSweeney’s book and Mark Goodman’s South Beach document travel for adventure and tourism.   If you are interested in learning more about our artists’ book collection, please contact Becca Pad, Fine Arts Librarian, or the Fine Arts Library circulation staff.