ARTIST'S BOOKS, ZINES & JUNK JOURNALS : exploring the handmade book

What do artist’s books, zines and junk journals have in common? They all take the familiar idea of a book and turn it into something personal, tactile and handmade – bringing intriguing content and form together in a unique object.

Over the weekend, you’ll explore a range of simple, adaptable binding techniques and use them to create one – or several! – handmade books of your own. What goes inside is entirely up to you. You might work with drawing, poetry or collage; transform old artworks or printmaking proofs; bring together photographs and memories; recycle found papers and printed ephemera; or simply experiment with colour, pattern, texture and shape.

A beautiful handmade book can, of course, contain nothing but empty pages. But this workshop encourages you to take things a step further and explore the relationship between how a book is made and what it contains. How might its structure help tell a story, explore an idea or shape the way someone experiences its contents? And how might the material you want to include inspire the kind of book you make?

We’ll dip into the fascinating worlds of artist’s books, zines and junk journals and look at how artists and makers have played with the idea of the book. Monica will also share examples from her own eclectic collection of handmade books – from travel diaries and botanical explorations to one-off artist’s books incorporating writing, poetry, photographs, printed ephemera, collage and drawings.

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Whether you love precision and beautifully finished objects or prefer uneven edges, improvisation and happy accidents, there’s room for both. Expect plenty of hands-on making, experimentation and exchange of ideas as you develop your own approach.

You’ll leave with a unique work – or two or three! – plus adaptable bookmaking skills and plenty of inspiration to continue making books, journals and zines at home.

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This class is limited to 10 participants age 14+

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What to bring:

Basic bookbinding materials will be supplied, along with a selection of paper and card. Bring along any special papers, card or cardboard you might like to use, as well as material you could imagine finding its way into a book – drawings, photographs, prints, old artworks, maps, poems, found papers, packaging, ephemera or anything else that sparks an idea.