Unbound

Presented by the team at Leeds Arts University Library.

The book as medium offers intriguing opportunities to explore and expand creative practice. Books can carry curated content; present a body of research; contain narratives and imaginary worlds; or they can be their own physical expression of an idea, to name just a few possibilities.

This academic year, students on the BA (Hons) Fine Art course were invited to explore Leeds Arts University Library’s special collection and, with reflection upon their own practice, to interrogate the idea of what a book can be.

A library session was conducted to allow students to handle and closely examine a selection of artists’ books varying in theme, focus and execution and to meanwhile consider the role of the book within the artist’s practice. They were then invited to reflect on their own practice in relation to book-making and, taking inspiration from the special collection, to create a new piece of work in response.

Presented here are the results of this process. The exhibit showcases a diversity of practice within the BA (Hons) Fine Art course and brings together work by students across multiple disciplines and studio areas, not bound by specific methods of making, but opening a space for a multitude of creative responses.

If you would like assistance with your own research, or would like to view the Special Collections, please speak to a member of the Library team.

This exhibition is available to view from 10:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Saturday. Entry is free but booking required for external visitors. Please email libraryadmin@leeds-art.ac.uk to make an appointment.