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Punk, politics and art on show in new exhibition at State Library Victoria

Media release

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Tuesday 18 July 2017


Self-made: zines and artist books is a new exhibition showcasing the eclectic world of independent publishing, from exquisite handmade artist books to radical low-fi zines, opening at State Library Victoria on 11 August.

Developed in partnership with The Sticky Institute, Self-made will display rarely-seen material from the Library’s collection of artist books and its zine collection – the largest and most comprehensive in Australia.

Exhibition curator Monica Syrette said Self-made will take visitors on a journey through the colourful and sometimes controversial evolution of self-publishing.

“The history of zine-making and self-publishing is inextricably linked to influential counter-cultural movements and social activism.

“What we’re displaying – items like sci-fi zines from the 1940s, punk zines from the seventies and contemporary feminist zines – are all reflections of the political and cultural movements of the time.

“The artist books in Self-made were also ground-breaking, designed to circumvent the commercial gallery system and make art easily available to all.”

The exhibition features works by leading international artists including Swiss German artist, Dieter Roth; Pop Art influenced American artist, Ed Ruscha; pioneering conceptual artist Sol LeWitt; and renowned Australian painter, sculptor and printmaker, Robert Jacks; alongside works by contemporary artists and zine-makers.

More than 170 works will be on display, including a dedicated reading lounge, revealing the breadth and beauty of artist books and zines.

Self-made: zines and artist books will be on display at State Library Victoria from 11 August until 12 November 2017 and will tour Victoria and interstate in 2018.